UF researchers develop fast, reliable urine test to differentiate prostate conditions, including prostate cancer
A new urine-based testing method employs paper spray technology to ionize metabolites, providing results within 30 seconds and offering a potential at-home screening tool for prostate cancer detection, enhancing accessibility and early diagnosis.
A group of researchers from the University of Florida College of Medicine are working to make reliable, non-invasive prostate cancer testing more accessible for patients. They recently developed a test that can differentiate between prostate cancer and other conditions that cause elevated PSA.
The test uses urine and the “paper spray” technique. Paper spraying involves running an electric current through paper that contains a patient urine sample in the shape of a triangle. This results in ionized metabolites.
The test was validated in a study with 40 participants who had various prostate conditions including prostate cancer. Using a mass spectrometer, the researchers were able to measure the ionized metabolites revealed by paper spraying within 30 seconds. This was achieved without a digital rectal exam.
The researchers are now working to develop “a large-scale test that can be used at home to help make testing more widely available.”
