A Belgian company has finished its initial study of a urine-based prostate cancer test, and has marketed it to Veridex LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company.

The test, which uses urine as a sample is being developed to improve the current prostate cancer screening process. The current combination screening uses the digital rectal exam (DRE- unliked by men because of the procedure), and the PSA test (which is not always reliable).

According to the press release, up to 75 percent of men who receive biopsies because of elevated PSA levels are found to be negative for prostate cancer. Other studies have shown that some prostate cancers are missed because the psa levels do not rise to a significant level.

Oncomethylome's methylation test is a DNA test sensitive for detecting prostate cancer cells that are shed from the prostate gland into the urine. Veridex has already licensed another methylation test from Oncomethylome that also tests for prostate cancer using prostate tissue.

Methylation is a natural control mechanism that regulates DNA gene expression. Abnormal methylation of certain genes, such as tumor suppressor genes, can silence gene expression and is often associated with cancer development. In the case of prostate cancer,the test detects methylation at genes that have been shown to be associated with prostate cancer and is sensitive enough to detect cancer in early development.

Analysis:
Although this research is early, and the news comes from a press release, it is exciting news in that there may soon be an alternative to the current PSA/DRE screening that is unpopular and sometimes inaccurate.

Source: OncoMethylome Sciences Licenses Second Prostate Cancer Test to Veridex. Oncomethylome.com (press release).