Endeavor Health, GoPath researchers develop new genetic risk test for aggressive prostate cancer

Evanston, Ill., - Researchers at Endeavor Health and GoPath Diagnostics have developed a new genetic test that can help predict which men with prostate cancer are most likely to develop aggressive, life-threatening forms of the disease.

Prostate cancer remains the most common non-skin cancer among men in the U.S., affecting about one in eight. The new germline genetic test is designed to give physicians and patients a much clearer picture of whether cancer is likely to spread or become deadly - and early enough to help inform the important care decisions that follow a diagnosis.

"When a man is diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, one of the hardest decisions is deciding whether to monitor the disease closely or proceed immediately with aggressive treatment, like surgery or radiation," said Brian Helfand, MD, PhD, Division Chief of Urology and Associate Chief Scientific Officer at Endeavor Health. "By looking at a patient's unique genetic makeup, we can help demystify that choice and identify who can safely choose active surveillance and who needs more immediate, targeted care."

The new laboratory test - commercialized by GoPath Diagnostics under the name GoProDx™ - is the first of its kind on the market.

The science behind the test comes from two major studies led by Endeavor Health and GoPath Diagnostics researchers, which tracked genetic and clinical outcomes for more than 14,000 prostate cancer patients. The teams found that inherited genetic information can reliably sort patients into low, intermediate and high-risk groups for metastasis and death. The results were published in the journals, Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases and The Prostate.

"Our joint research showed that the genetic factors that cause prostate cancer to develop in the first place aren't necessarily the same ones that make it aggressive or lethal," said Jianfeng Xu, MD, DrPH, Vice President of Translational Research at Endeavor Health and head of cancer genetics research Endeavor Health. "This changes the way we think about prostate cancer and could help us make genetic information more useful for the real-world decisions patients and doctors have to make."

Unlike traditional tumor tests that look at the biology of a biopsy sample, this method looks at a patient's inherited DNA. This offers a completely different, complementary layer of information, which is a game-changer for men diagnosed with early-stage cancer who are trying to decide between active monitoring and immediate surgery or radiation.

"For years, genetic testing in this space has just looked at whether a patient has a specific mutation or not," said Jim Lu, MD, PhD, Founder, President, CEO and Medical Director of GoPath Diagnostics. "GoProDx takes things a step further by looking at what that genetic profile actually means for how the cancer might behave over time. Our goal is to take this incredible joint research and turn it into a simple, accessible test that helps doctors tailor treatment to the individual patient."

GoProDx is available now on a self-pay basis, with insurance coverage expected to roll out in the first quarter of 2027.

Read the studies

The scientific foundation for GoProDx™ includes two published studies examining GenProb-PCSM and inherited genetic risk in relation to prostate cancer outcomes.