The Vanguard Path study is a pioneering project funded by Prostate Cancer UK. Specifically, it will test a state-of-the-art AI tool to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Led by researchers from the University of Oxford, this three-year study aims to analyze biopsies from more than 4,000 men across three NHS sites: North Bristol NHS Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
During the study ArteraAI Prostate Biopsy Assay will be used, which in its current form is already widely used across the United States. Early-stage clinical studies of the tool in US-based hospitals indicate it can reliably rule out more benign, slow-growing forms of prostate cancer. It further forecasts which patients will benefit most from hormone therapy in conjunction with radiotherapy.
Dr Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, called this study significant. He further described that the study will compare findings in tissue samples. Secondly, it will assess the impact of the AI tool on the treatment decisions taken by NHS clinicians.
“Biopsies will be analysed, the treatment choices will be made, and the man will start treatment. But at the same time, the NHS clinicians will be given a readout from this tool and asked: ‘If you had this, would you have recommended the same treatment or not?’” – Matthew Hobbs
The Vanguard Path study has a £1.9 million budget. First, it will analyze prostate biopsy samples from men already diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer. The aim of the researchers is to explore if the predictive capabilities of the ArteraAI tool can be turned into something that works when predicting UK patients.
Prof. Gerhardt Attard from University College London noted that while the tool performs well in controlled environments, real-world applications within the NHS may present unique challenges.
“When you take that to the real NHS world, there are a number of challenges and differences that would inevitably arise and that’s what this study will address” – Prof Gerhardt Attard
One aspect of this research will measure the effect of using this AI tool on the time between diagnosis and treatment decision. The expectation is that it will save time, simplify workflows and help deliver better care to patients.
Ashley Dalton, a policy officer at Prostate Cancer UK, welcomed the step. She thinks it represents a major step forward in the treatment of cancer.
“This groundbreaking research could be a huge step forward, demonstrating the power of technology to potentially transform lives and improve cancer outcomes” – Ashley Dalton
Dalton went on to voice optimistic expectations for AI’s ability to transform the way care is delivered.
“This is exactly why we’re investing in a digital NHS. By harnessing AI and moving beyond outdated systems, we can transform cancer care – diagnosing earlier, treating more effectively, and improving patient experience” – Ashley Dalton
Assuming this pilot goes well, this would mean one standardised tool across the NHS. This tool would empower oncologists to have the right information on hand to make prudent treatment choices, even when cancer is at its most aggressive.
“A good outcome from this is that this tool is implemented in the NHS” – Matthew Hobbs
“If and when this gets implemented, you could use one tool irrespective of where you are on the aggressiveness scale, to make a very clinically and life-enhancingly important decision for each of those men” – Matthew Hobbs