A new project called “Nordic Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Prostate Cancer,“( NorDCaP), which is a Nordic collaborative research initiative focused on improving the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The project aims to develop and validate dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) protocols to better detect and characterize prostate cancer, ultimately leading to more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.
The Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has spearheaded the NorDCaP project, aiming to revolutionize prostate cancer diagnostics through personalized approaches. Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men in Sweden and other Nordic countries, with current diagnostic methods often leading to overdiagnosis and missed serious cases. The NorDCaP initiative seeks to implement advanced diagnostics, notably the Stockholm3 blood test and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), across Nordic healthcare providers.
The Stockholm3 test is a blood-based diagnostic tool developed at Karolinska Institutet. It measures a combination of protein markers, genetic markers, and clinical data to assess the risk of prostate cancer more accurately than the traditional prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. When combined with MRI, this approach aims to reduce unnecessary biopsies and treatments, detect serious cancers earlier, and minimize side effects.
The NorDCaP project has worked in teams comprising healthcare professionals and industry experts, dividing the work into nine packages with specific deliverables. Seven of these packages have been fully completed, while two experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supplementary funding has been secured to finalize these remaining tasks. The project has utilized both physical meetings and virtual communication to coordinate efforts across the Nordic region.
By introducing improved diagnostics with the Stockholm3 test and MRI, NorDCaP aims to achieve several long-term effects:
- Fewer Unnecessary Procedures: Reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies and MRI examinations.
- Earlier Detection: Identifying serious prostate cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage.
- Lower Risk of Side Effects: Minimizing side effects associated with overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
- Cost Reduction: Lowering healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary procedures and treatments.
Funding of this project
The NorDCaP project, led by Professor Henrik Grönberg at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, is funded through a substantial grant from NordForsk, the research funding body under the Nordic Council of Ministers. In 2024, NordForsk allocated a total of NOK 165 million to several projects aimed at advancing personalized medicine, with NorDCaP being one of the key recipients.
Photo Credit: Darryl Leja, NHGRI
