Researchers report that a new test has worked well in a small early trial, which could create a revolution in the treatment of the men following prostate cancer surgery.

The researchers used nanotechnology were able to detect prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the cancer-associated protein, at levels much below than what is possible with older technology, explained Chad A. Mirkin, who is the lead author of a report published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. C. Shad Thaxton, assistant professor of urology at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, one of Mirkin's collaborators in development of the test said that it will still take several more years before the test undergoes the larger-scale testing and vetting needed for approval of its use in medical practice.

PSA tests which are ultra-sensitive use gold-particles that are just about 30 nanometers in diameter and have antibodies to PSA as well as strands of DNA, which is the core genetic molecule attached to them.

Mirkin said that the PSA testing becomes controversial when it is used for the screening of prostate cancer.

Researchers believe that the knowledge could be invaluable and if the treatment is not working then they can try a different approach.