Stockholm3 combines accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer with improved health economics
August 31, 2023
In a recently published article in Läkartidningen (the Swedish Medical Journal), the Prostate Cancer Center at Capio St. Göran’s Hospital is recognized for its structured and cohesive model (the Capio model) which is based on Stockholm3 and provides significantly improved prostate cancer diagnostics and health economics.
The Prostate Cancer Center at Capio St. Göran’s Hospital was established in 2017 with the aim of providing cost-effective prostate cancer diagnostics using new diagnostic methods and efficient, structured processes. To improve the possibility of early detection of prostate cancer and at the same time avoid unnecessary examinations with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsies, Capio St. Göran’s Hospital uses Stockholm3 as a reflex test after PSA.
The recently published article outlines the Capio Model, emphasizing the integral role of Stockholm3 in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, reducing overdiagnosis, enabling diagnosis at low PSA values, reducing resource use, shortening lead-time and improving health economy.
Enhanced diagnostic precision: Approximately 56% of individuals with suspicious MRI findings were accurately diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer. This enhanced precision ensures timely interventions for improved disease management.
Reduced overdiagnosis: An achievement of the Capio Model is the significant reduction in overdiagnosis. Only 12% of patients following the model received diagnoses of non-clinically significant prostate cancer.
Effective detection for low PSA levels: The Capio Model’s success extends to individuals with low PSA levels (below 3). Notably, 48% of men with positive Stockholm3 results and PSA levels below 3 were identified with clinically significant prostate cancer, demonstrating the model’s efficacy in early detection.
Significantly reduced lead-time: Patients at Capio St Göran experience shorter treatment timelines. Lead times from suspicion to treatment are notably reduced (ranging from 54 to 75 days, depending on treatment), ensuring timely interventions for better patient outcomes.
Efficient resource utilization: The Capio Model introduces an approach focused on optimal resource utilization and reduced the number of MRI examinations by 46%, the number of doctor’s visits by 89% and the number of biopsies by 41%.
Improved health economics: From a Swedish perspective, the Capio Model showcases positive health economics. With a 28% cost reduction compared to current practices, Stockholm3 plays a crucial role in delivering cost-effective care.
Professor Henrik Grönberg, the driving force behind the Capio Model, expressed his optimism, stating, “The Capio Model at St. Göran’s Hospital shows that we can significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer for men at risk, while reducing healthcare costs through better diagnostics with Stockholm3, standardized care and efficient delegation of responsibility from doctors to assistant nurses.”
About A3P Biomedical
A3P Biomedical is a company that specializes in advanced prostate cancer diagnostics. A3P’s main product, Stockholm3, is a clinically and commercially validated blood test for early detection and risk stratification of aggressive prostate cancer. A3P Biomedical is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information, please visit www.a3p.com
About Stockholm3
Stockholm3 is a blood-based test, that runs a combination of protein biomarkers, genetic biomarkers and clinical information through an algorithm to find the probability of clinically significant cancer at biopsy.
Stockholm3 has been evaluated in clinical studies including more than 90,000 men. It is extensively tested in large population-based screening trials, as well as in real world clinical utility studies in primary care, as a reflex test to PSA at values 1.5-20 ng/ml. Benefits include the ability to reduce unnecessary MRIs, benign and Grade Group 1 prostate biopsies for men with elevated PSA, while simultaneously improving detection of clinically significant cancers in men with low or normal PSA values. Using Stockholm3 leads to a more accurate risk assessment than the current PSA standard. Stockholm3 detects 40-90% more men with aggressive prostate cancer and, at the same time, reduces over-detection by 40-50% compared to PSA.
Multiple Stockholm3 studies have been published in high-impact journals such as The Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and European Urology. The studies address both the specificity and sensitivity of Stockholm3 in multi-ethnic populations as well as health-economic benefits of implementing it in clinical care. For more information about our clinical studies please visit www.a3p.com.
About prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In 2020, the global incidence of new prostate cancer cases was 1.4 million, and prostate cancer specific mortality 370,000. Global prostate cancer incidence and mortality is expected to rise by 100% and 85% respectively by 2040, driven by an ageing population.
Press contact:
Cecilia Edström
cecilia.edstrom@a3p.com
+46 72 226 2328