A simple urine test to detect endometrial cancer

Many women experience postmenopausal bleeding (PMB), which can be a warning sign of endometrial cancer (EC), the most common cancer of the female genital tract in developed countries. To detect EC, women currently undergo uncomfortable and invasive procedures in hospital settings. In this new public-private partnership between Amsterdam UMC and Self-Screen B.V., we aim to develop a simple and reliable urine test to detect EC. This innovation will make testing accessible at the home-based or general practitioner (GP) level, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and improve patient comfort and healthcare efficiency.

Endometrial cancer affects over 417,000 women worldwide each year, with 2,100 new cases annually in the Netherlands. While 90% of women with EC report PMB as the first symptom, only about 9% of all women with PMB actually have cancer. Still, all are referred for further tests, resulting in over 25,000 specialist referrals and approximately €25 million in healthcare costs per year. There is an urgent need for a patient-friendly, accurate, and affordable method to triage women with PMB and reduce the burden on both patients and the healthcare system.

This project will explore a new method that uses urine to detect endometrial cancer-specific DNA changes called methylation markers. These markers can be identified using a cutting-edge sequencing technology that works even with small, degraded DNA fragments often found in urine. Based on these findings, the team will develop a simple laboratory test that can be used to screen for EC in urine samples of women with postmenopausal bleeding.

The main outcome of this project is the development of a prototype urine test that is accurate, affordable, and easy to use. If successful, this test could be further trained and validated in clinical practice and help reduce unnecessary referrals by over 60%.