A clinical trial conducted by the Cancer and Ageing Research Program (CARP), lead by Professor Derek Richard (QUT), has shown that roundworms have an uncanny ability to detect cancer in urine. 

The trial is part of an early-stage study that Japanese based company Hirotsu Bio-Science has started working on in collaboration with CARP: basing their development on the sensitive sense of smell that roundworms have.  

Seventy-five cancer patients were involved along with fifteen healthy participants, using urine from a cancer patient and urine from a heathy patient, the roundworms would move towards the cancer patient’s urine with 90% accuracy. Exactly how the roundworms can detect cancer in urine still remains a mystery. 

Hirotsu Bio-Science is looking at developing this potential game changing diagnostic tool further by continuing more clinical trials based here in Brisbane. Negotiations are underway with the Queensland Government to secure a deal. 

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Picture: Julie Balen, Queensland Institute of Medical Research