Researchers from the University of Birmingham and diagnostics company Nonacus have published findings on a urine test designed to identify bladder cancer cases. The study, which appeared in European Urology Oncology, enrolled participants from seven hospitals across England and Scotland and found that the Galeas test identified 92% of bladder cancer cases. A negative result indicated a greater than 99% probability that a patient did not have the condition.
The test works by detecting genetic material released into urine by bladder cancer cells, specifically looking for more than 450 DNA mutations associated with the disease across 23 genes. The test was originally developed by the University of Birmingham with support from Cancer Research UK and has been commercialized through a licensing agreement with Nonacus, which returns a portion of revenue to the university and the funding organization.
Currently, more than 300,000 cystoscopies are performed annually in the UK, with some areas experiencing significant waiting lists for the procedure. Cystoscopies involve inserting a small camera through the urethra into the bladder and are considered more invasive than urine testing. While researchers emphasize the urine test would not replace cystoscopies, it could help clinicians prioritize patients at higher risk for urgent procedures rather than having all patients wait for the invasive examination.
If a larger trial proves successful, tens of thousands of patients annually could potentially avoid cystoscopies. Prof Richard Bryan, co-author of the study, described the real-world performance results as encouraging after years of development and evaluation. Cancer Research UK leadership noted that early detection and appropriate diagnostic approaches are critical, while acknowledging that further research remains necessary before broader implementation.
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