New Genetic Test May Improve Prostate Cancer Treatment

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 24, 2026

Researchers at University College London have found that a genetic test called Decipher can help predict which men with aggressive prostate cancer are most likely to benefit from adding abiraterone to their treatment. This test could guide more personalized therapy, potentially improving survival rates while sparing some patients from unnecessary side effects, though further studies are needed to confirm its clinical use.

A new genetic test may help identify which men with aggressive prostate cancer could benefit most from intensified treatment, potentially improving survival outcomes, researchers report.

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men, and while the addition of the hormone therapy drug abiraterone to standard treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of death by nearly half in some patients, clinicians currently lack a reliable method to determine who will respond best to the drug. Abiraterone works by inhibiting testosterone production, a hormone that can fuel cancer growth; however, its use carries risks of significant side effects, which may outweigh benefits for certain patients.

Experts at University College London have investigated a genetic test called Decipher that analyzes the expression of 22 genes within tumor tissue to better stratify patients by risk. The test generates a score ranging from zero to one, with higher scores indicating a greater likelihood of cancer spreading and death. This risk stratification could offer guidance on the level of treatment intensity required.

The findings stem from an analysis linked to the STAMPEDE trial presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Madrid. The data showed that for every 0.1 increase in the Decipher score, there was a 49 percent increase in the risk of cancer progression and a 38 percent increase in mortality risk. These results suggest the test may be effective in identifying patients who might gain the most from the addition of abiraterone.

Lead author Dr Sarah Howlett emphasized that while the findings are promising, further large-scale studies are necessary to confirm the clinical utility of the genetic test in guiding treatment decisions.

Separately, advances in diagnostic technology have seen five artificial intelligence programs approved for trial use in detecting prostate cancer through MRI scans, a development expected to speed up diagnosis and improve accuracy.

In light of the ongoing burden of prostate cancer, calls have been made for the introduction of a national screening program to enhance early detection and improve patient outcomes.

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