A large team of VA, academic, and industry researchers has developed a precision risk screening tool for prostate cancer, now being tested in the Prostate Cancer, Genetic Risk & Equitable Screening Study (ProGRESS). This randomized clinical trial, which began accepting participants in November 2024, aims to recruit 5,000 male U.S. Veterans aged 55 to 69 who have never had prostate cancer or a prostate biopsy.
Participants will use a saliva collection kit to provide their DNA, which will be analyzed for genetic markers related to prostate cancer risk by a partner lab. They will then be randomly assigned to either the standard prostate care group or the precision prostate cancer screening group to test the new screening tool's accuracy.
The ProGRESS screening tool was developed using data from nearly 600,000 male Veterans in the VA Million Veteran Program (MVP), a biobank that collects biological samples, electronic health records, and survey data on family history, health behaviors, and more. This data allows researchers to create prediction models for various diseases based on individual genetic information.
Prostate cancer, one of the most inheritable cancers, has seen recent genomic discoveries identifying both rare and common genetic variations contributing to its heritability. The current universal screening method, using a prostate-specific antigen test, while reducing mortality, often leads to over-diagnosis and unnecessary procedures. The new precision screening approach aims to reduce unnecessary biopsies and allow for closer monitoring of higher-risk patients.
Health disparities in prostate cancer are significant, with Black men being more likely to be diagnosed and die from the disease. The new screening tool could help address these disparities by providing a more accurate screening method. If proven effective, this tool could significantly impact prostate cancer screening and treatment, offering a more personalized approach to healthcare.
