ASX-listed Proteomics International Laboratories has announced groundbreaking clinical results for its PromarkerEso blood test, a simple, non-invasive tool for detecting esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a deadly form of throat cancer.
The trials, involving 350 participants across two independent studies, demonstrated near-perfect accuracy for detecting EAC at all stages. The test achieved sensitivity rates of 81% for stage one, 91% for stage two, and a perfect 100% for stages three and four. PromarkerEso also detected Barrett’s esophagus, a high-risk precursor to EAC, with 93% sensitivity.
By comparison, the widely used PSA blood test for prostate cancer has an area under the curve (AUC) of just 0.68 and a sensitivity of 32% at standard thresholds, highlighting PromarkerEso’s revolutionary potential.
“These results are hugely significant,” said Dr. Richard Lipscombe, managing director of Proteomics International. “Early detection of EAC greatly improves treatment outcomes, whereas late-stage disease has a very poor prognosis.”
Currently, EAC diagnosis relies on upper endoscopy, an invasive procedure costing over US$2,750 in the U.S., yet almost 90% of cases are still detected too late. PromarkerEso offers a faster, cheaper, and less uncomfortable alternative. Using four protein biomarkers combined with clinical factors like age, sex, and BMI, the test generates a simple “traffic light” risk score for patients.
EAC is the seventh most common cancer globally, with survival rates under 20% at five years, largely driven by lifestyle and dietary factors common in Western countries. With early detection being key to improved outcomes, PromarkerEso could represent a major advance in cancer care.
Proteomics plans to launch the test in Australia initially, with other markets to follow. The test is patent-protected in Europe and China, with additional jurisdictions pending, and will be available both directly to consumers and through general practitioners.
By providing a quick, accurate, and non-invasive alternative to traditional diagnostics, PromarkerEso could transform how throat cancer is detected and treated, potentially saving thousands of lives worldwide.
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