Better Ways to Find Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Using Prostate Health Index and MRI in Combination for Cost-effectively Detecting High-Grade Prostate Cancer
This project looks for better ways to find aggressive prostate cancer using a blood test called Prostate Health Index (PHI) and MRI scans, aiming to reduce unnecessary biopsies for men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11101329 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Currently, PSA tests can lead to many unnecessary prostate biopsies. This project combines a blood test called Prostate Health Index (PHI) with MRI scans to more accurately identify aggressive prostate cancer. The goal is to help doctors decide who truly needs a biopsy, potentially preventing many men from undergoing an invasive procedure they don't need. Researchers will also check how well these tests work in men with different risk factors for prostate cancer, including those with a family history or specific genetic mutations, as well as those with lower risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men at various risk levels for prostate cancer, including those with a family history, specific genetic mutations, or different ancestries, could be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer or are not undergoing initial screening for the disease may not directly benefit from this diagnostic improvement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies while still ensuring that aggressive cancers are found early.
How similar studies have performed: Both PHI and multi-parametric MRI have shown promise individually in reducing unnecessary biopsies, and this project aims to combine and validate their use across diverse patient populations.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murphy, Adam Bryant — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Murphy, Adam Bryant
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.