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Groundbreaking prostate cancer trial investigates Aquablation therapy
A groundbreaking international trial for treating prostate cancer has launched in the UK. The trial, sponsored by US company PROCEPT BioRobotics, and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is investigating whether Aquablation, a novel therapy using robotics, AI and real-time imaging, compares favourably to traditional surgery, known as a radical prostatectomy. Most cases of prostate cancer are localised, meaning the cancer is entirely within the prostate gland. Standard treatments range from active surveillance/monitoring of the cancer to treatments such as radiation and radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the entire prostate gland), depending on the risk level of the cancer. Aquablation therapy uses a robotic- assisted, high-pressure waterjet with dual image guidance. This technology allows surgeons to map the entire prostate in real time with ultrasound, delivering precise treatment that is less invasive than traditional surgery. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is the first hospital in Europe to recruit a patient to the trial, which is being run in seven different countries. PROCEPT BioRobotics is aiming to recruit 280 patients globally. Men over 45 with early-stage, localised prostate cancer, who have already decided to have surgery, could be eligible for the trial.
Mr Philip Charlesworth, Consultant Urological
Surgeon at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For men with prostate cancer confined to the prostate, curative options are excellent. However, we are becoming increasingly focused on the side effects of the cancer treatment and how we can embrace new technology to maintain a man’s quality-of-life following their surgery.
method of treating the cancer. But it has a high risk of long-term quality of life side effects like erectile dysfunction and lack of bladder control. The hope is that Aquablation therapy would provide an equivalent success rate with an improved quality of life. The innovative therapy is already widely used
Mr Philip Charlesworth, Consultant Urological Surgeon at The Royal Marsden landscape
“This trial is measuring Aquablation therapy
which uses a robotic approach to surgically remove the cancer, and to preserve a man’s ability to remain continent and maintain sexual activity. Professor Marian Knight, Scientific Director for
NIHR Infrastructure, said: “This trial exemplifies the power of UK research, underpinned by NIHR funded infrastructure, to rapidly embrace cutting-edge technology and deliver it to patients. “By investigating whether this robotic-assisted, AI-supported approach can maintain the high success rates of traditional surgery, while significantly improving quality of life, we are fulfilling the commitment set out in the Men’s Health Strategy to innovate and reduce the long- term burden of prostate cancer treatment. “The NIHR is proud to support this international
collaboration, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust recruiting the first patient in Europe demonstrates the UK’s outstanding ability to work with industrial partners to deliver complex trials quickly.” Removing the prostate is a very successful
in the treatment of another prostate condition, called benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a non-cancerous condition where the prostate gland grows larger than normal. The therapy is now being trialled for prostate cancer. In this trial, researchers are identifying
cancerous tissue to remove, while avoiding the surrounding nerves and muscles associated with erectile function and bladder control. The robotic waterjet follows this personalised treatment plan to remove only targeted tissue. The primary outcome is improvement in functional measures, including continence and erectile function, which will be assessed after six months. Mr Charlesworth added: “The potential for this trial is very exciting. It has an opportunity, depending on the results of the study, to add an alternative surgical treatment option for patients with localised prostate cancer across the globe. The ultimate aim, and my passion, is to improve prostate cancer treatments so that they cause less harm and are less invasive for the patient. I feel that this is an incredibly exciting prospect for the future of prostate cancer care.” To date, there are over 25 centres globally
recruiting patients into this trial. Four of these hospitals are in the UK: The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust; Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dried blood spot samples used to detect Alzheimer’s biomarkers
A groundbreaking international study has shown that Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers can be accurately detected using simple finger-prick blood samples. The research, led by US institute Banner Health working with the University of Exeter Medical School and supported by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), has been published in Nature Medicine. The DROP-AD project was conducted at seven European medical centres, including the University of Exeter. It successfully tested 337 participants and proved that finger-prick blood collection can
accurately measure key markers of Alzheimer’s pathology and brain damage.
Alzheimer’s disease is usually confirmed
through brain scans or spinal fluid tests. These are invasive and expensive. Blood tests that measure biomarkers, such as p-tau217, are emerging as accurate and accessible tools for detecting it. Drawing blood through venipuncture (inserting a needle into a vein) is much simpler than spinal taps or brain scans. However, practical hurdles remain, including how samples are handled and stored, and whether people have access to trained staff to collect them. The researchers tested a new method
using a few drops of blood obtained from the fingertip and then dried on a card. They used the samples to look for proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other brain changes in the 337 participants. Levels of p-tau217 in the finger-prick samples closely matched results from standard blood tests. They could identify Alzheimer’s disease- related changes in spinal fluid with an accuracy of 86%. Two other markers, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light (NfL), were also successfully measured and showed strong agreement with traditional tests. Visit: https://
www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04080-0
February 2026 I
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