LIONS AND TIGERS

How a British Lions rugby legend helped kick off UEA’s Prostate Cancer Tests.

The UEA Prostate Cancer Tests, which continue their meticulous journey towards and through clinical trials, stand to transform the lives of millions of men worldwide.

However, the tests would still be just scientific observations and laboratory models were it not for the kindness, foresight and support of generous philanthropists at UEA.

A British Lion

One such individual was Andy Ripley (SOC66). This beloved British Lions rugby player made his experiences with prostate cancer public in his 2007 memoir, Ripley’s World. The book detailed his 2005 diagnosis and successful treatment, with all royalties donated to prostate cancer research.

After the disease returned and Andy’s subsequent treatment was unsuccessful, there was an outpouring of support. His untimely death in June 2010, aged just 62, inspired a Memorial Fund. Their mission is to continue the work Andy was passionate about – transforming diagnosis and treatment for all men with prostate cancer.

Andy’s friends and family chose Professor Colin Cooper’s research at the University of East Anglia as the recipient of their support. At that time, the professor’s early research results showed promise of a new, less-disruptive test for the disease.

Andy had spoken fondly of his days at UEA as an undergraduate student and remained a popular face among his peer group of alumni.

The Andy Ripley Memorial Trust’s first action was to fund a postgraduate scholarship in UEA’s School of Biological Sciences to carry out research into the diagnosis, treatment u u and prevention of prostate cancer. This early support provided a vital stepping stone on the path toward the Tiger Test, the first of UEA’s Prostate Cancer Tests.

The Tiger Test

Many types of prostate cancers cause very little harm but, until now, there has been no reliable way to distinguish them. The Tiger Test scrutinises prostate biopsy samples to predict accurately whether a patient has the most life-threatening and aggressive prostate cancers –nicknamed ‘tiger’ cancers.

In the past 12 months, the Tiger Test has received a considerable boost through a new diagnostic laboratory at UEA. A team of scientists and practitioners have been recruited to guide the test through clinical trials. This is the most significant remaining barrier standing before the Tiger Test’s adoption in hospitals worldwide.

Prof Cooper’s team, based at the Bob Champion Research and Education Building, have also made strides in developing a methodology that will allow the lab to use biopsy samples efficiently to gather robust and reliable results. This moves the Tiger Test closer to the clinic.

Finally, a direct pipeline has been established between the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the UEA labs in the Bob Champion Research and Education Building.

This will provide the samples needed in coming years and improve test workflows ahead of the Tiger Test’s use in hospitals worldwide.

The Pur Test

The diagnostic lab is also developing the Prostate Urine Risk (PUR) Test – the second of the two UEA Prostate Cancer Tests being developed.

The PUR Test uses urine samples to detect aggressive prostate cancer earlier with no need for an invasive biopsy.

In late 2021, the team at UEA announced an important development in the PUR Test. Not only is the test capable of detecting cancers not detected using a PSA blood test, but it can also reliably detect which cancers might become aggressive. This will reduce the need for men to endure uncomfortable examinations and provide reassurance for those on active surveillance.

Another exciting development is the progression of the PUR Test’s Prostate Screening Boxes, which allow men to provide a urine sample from their own homes. Over the past year, a trial in the UK, Europe and Canada proved successful, and patient feedback has been highly positive. There will soon be 17 sample collection sites worldwide.

The test is now being used by the team at UEA to validate the PUR signature in patient samples. This validation study will prove the process to be used by doctors and technicians to diagnose patients once the PUR Test has completed its clinical trials, making this data invaluable.

A Community Of Pioneers

All of the remarkable progress made on the UEA Prostate Cancer Tests has only been possible thanks to the generous