New research findings were reported today from the CLIMATE study (ANZUP 1906), led by the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) in collaboration with WEHI and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The findings reveal that a simple blood test (miRNA), which evaluates a protein commonly found in testicular cancer, can help predict which people affected by early-stage testicular cancer are most likely to have their cancer return.
Those diagnosed with stage 1 testicular germ cell tumour are often treated with surgery alone and then closely monitored through active surveillance. While most will have strong long‑term outcomes, around one in four people will see their cancer return within five years. This ongoing uncertainty highlights the need to improve how relapse risk is identified.
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The CLIMATE study investigated a blood-based marker, miR-371, released into the bloodstream by testicular cancer cells. The study tested whether miR-371 could detect tiny amounts of remaining cancer after surgical removal of the testicle.
Results from CLIMATE were presented at the ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco.
Associate Professor Ben Tran, CLIMATE study investigator, says, “These early findings suggest that this blood test could become a valuable tool to personalise care for those affected by early-stage testicular cancer. In the future, we hope it will help doctors identify patients who could benefit from early additional treatment, while sparing others from unnecessary therapy.” Associate Professor Tran is also a Senior Research Fellow at WEHI and a Medical Oncologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer in Australian men aged 20 to 39, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. In 2025, an estimated 1,040 new cases were diagnosed, with an average age of 36 years old. Although survival rates are relatively high, the diagnosis can have a lasting impact.
Research shows that almost one in three people who have had testicular cancer continue to fear their cancer returning even 11 years after diagnosis. This fear is closely linked with higher levels of stress and anxiety. It can be intensified by long‑term side effects such as nerve damage, fatigue, and other ongoing physical symptoms. Many people also experience concerns about fertility and identity following treatment. Together, these challenges can significantly affect quality of life, highlighting the need for ongoing support.
Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group CEO, Samantha Oakes, says, “Our mission at ANZUP is to improve the lives of people affected by bladder, kidney, testicular, penile, and prostate cancers, as the leading not-for-profit research charity funding multidisciplinary collaborative clinical trials for these ‘Below the Belt’ cancers. Since our inception in 2008, ANZUP has funded 35 Below the Belt cancer trials across 772 global sites, providing over 10,000 participants access to innovative clinical trials.”
“We are proud to showcase our CLIMATE research on an international stage. Although these are early results, miR-371 performed better than the predictive tools that are currently available. With further validation, this test could add a valuable tool to inform the management of early-stage testicular cancer.”
Peter Mac was also one of 14 recruitment sites across Australia and New Zealand, and conducted blood sample analysis for the CLIMATE study.
Source: ANZUP. To learn more about ANZUP’s mission to improve the lives of those affected by bladder, kidney, testicular, penile, and prostate cancers, visit anzup.org.au.
