The Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (Ivace i) has financed the design and validation of a new device to detect prostate cancer in a more effective, precise and less invasive way than the digital rectal examination, one of the most widespread in primary care.
The technology developed by the La Fe Health Research Institute (IIS La Fe), in collaboration with the Valencia Biomechanics Institute (IBV) and the Higher Scientific Research Council (CSIC), will allow for improved screening for this tumor, which In Spain it stands as the one with the highest incidence in the male population, with more than 35,000 new cases diagnosed in 2021.
The financial contribution of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, directed by Nuria Montes, has allowed progress in previous research until the manufacturing of the final prototype and its subsequent validation. To this end, a clinical trial has been carried out that has corroborated the effectiveness of this new tool, called Prostacto.
The objective now is to commercialize the medical equipment, for which the IIS La Fe, IBV, CSIC and the Network of Technological Institutes of the Valencian Community, through its investment instrument, Redit Ventures, have formed a spin off that is completing clinical tests for certification, with the aim of launching said product on the market in 2025. The company is expected to have a turnover of three million euros in five years and employ 10 highly qualified professionals.
The device integrates a medical ultrasound, which guarantees precise positioning in the area of ??the prostate to be studied, and a sensor that is capable of measuring the rigidity of this gland in a much more reliable way, thus eliminating the subjectivity of examinations such as rectal examination. Prostacto not only provides information automatically and with a high degree of precision, but also stands out for its easy handling, portability and low cost.
Currently, prostate cancer screening is performed by combining different tests. The identification of abnormal values ??of the PSA protein through a simple blood test is the most common warning sign, which must then be confirmed by touch.
However, in 18% of cases the tumor does not increase the concentration of this protein in the blood, so assessment through the rectal route is the main method available for its detection. Precisely, the technology developed by IIS La Fe will avoid possible late diagnoses, which will in turn result in an improvement in survival rates and the quality of life of patients.
“The original idea is basic: to transform any subjective medical information into objective,” highlighted Dr. César David Vera Donoso, head of the Integrated Urological Translational Research Center of Valencia (NITIUV), who has led the development of this project.
To achieve this, the health research center has had the collaboration of other agents in the innovation ecosystem. Thus, the IBV has contributed to the design and construction of a programmed electronic diagnostic system, while the Institute of Instrumentation for Molecular Imaging (I3M), an entity of mixed ownership between the CSIC and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) has Responsible for the development and integration into the device of an ultrasound imaging system for visualization of the prostate.
The initiative is aligned with the conclusions of the Health Innovation Committee, which are committed to optimizing tests and surgical processes so that they are less invasive and with fewer associated side effects. Likewise, the initiative falls within the main axes of the Intelligent Specialization Strategy of the Valencian Community, S3, coordinated by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
