Advancing bladder cancer diagnostic and treatment: the PHIREtechnology and approach

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide.

More than half a million new bladder cancer cases are discovered every year. Bladder cancer is the most expensive cancer to treat, with an annual expenditure of 9 billion dollars. On one hand, this is attributed to the limitations of current diagnostic imaging techniques and surgical removal of bladder tumours smaller than 1 millimetre, especially when they are flat. On the other hand, half of the bladder cancers are resistant to the therapy. Due to these diagnostic and therapeutic limitations, approximately 200,000 patients experience tumour relapse every year. They endure multiple surgical and therapeutic interventions for many years after the first diagnosis. 

The adoption of clinical applications using the new PHIRE solution will reduce the frequency of bladder tumour relapse and the number of patients with recurrent tumours. A drastic positive impact on the quality of life of patients is expected along with a reduction in social costs of patient care. 

This project is possible thanks to the EIC Transition scheme in Horizon Europe, allowing innovation activities to move beyond experimental proof of the preclinical research. The scheme supports the maturation and validation of new technologies demonstrated in relevant environments. PHIRE is the follow-up project of the project EDIT, an initiative that proposed transformative technology for the early detection and management of bladder cancer. 

PHIRE aims to bring close to market a novel high-resolution theranostic solution effective in clinical applications for cancer lesions smaller than 1 millimetre. It will be ready for use in human bladder cancer and effective for both male and female patients. Photoacoustic imaging will be performed combined with an artificial intelligence assisted prediction map to exploit the use of targeted gold nanorods.