Dr Thompson together with the Exosome Research Group at University of NSW and St George Hospital have opened a study in patients being investigated for bladder cancer. Exosomes are tiny nano-parts of a cell sprouted off from bladder cells which contain the DNA, RNA and proteins of that cell.
They can be extracted from blood and urine and thus could revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. Dr Thompson and his team are analysing microRNA and surface protein panels to see if it is possible to identify a panel of genes or proteins present in bladder exosomes which can accuracy detect bladder cancer and guide treatment choices.
The first patients have been recruited into the phase 1 (discovery) cohort at St George Public and Private hospitals. Once phase 1 has been completed in 2-3 years, phase 2 (validation) and phase 3 (multicenter trials) will be next.
This work will take many years, but it is important work in a neglected field, so Dr Thompson and his team are excited to have started the journey with the dream of improving the early detection and treatment of bladder cancer so that those who develop it can live longer healthier lives and be cured wherever possible.