27 January 2010
The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research into genetic abnormalities to predict prostate cancer survival
The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research published today (27 January) in the British Journal of Cancer, which suggests that three genetic abnormalities greatly impact how long men with prostate cancer are likely to live with the disease.
Dr Helen Rippon, Head of Research Management at The Prostate Cancer Charity, explains: “This new research is an important step forward in helping to answer one of the most significant questions facing prostate cancer research today – how to distinguish early, and with confidence, the potentially life threatening prostate tumours from the slow growing form of the disease. The researchers studied three genes commonly found to be mutated in prostate tumours and their impact on survival rates from the disease.
“The results show that the small group of men – six per cent of the overall study group - whose prostate tumours had a defect in the PTEN gene, had a much poorer chance of survival than the much larger group of men for whom all three genes were normal. This genetic abnormality could therefore form the basis of a test to identify men who should receive swift and intensive treatment for prostate cancer. This is could be particularly critical in cases where traditional indicators - such as the grade of the tumour - suggest that urgent treatment may not be necessary.
“The next stage will be to carry out a ‘prospective’ clinical trial using the new test to identify men with a poor prognosis and select them for aggressive treatment. Such a study would determine whether testing in this way really can improve survival rates.
“We congratulate the researchers on their important findings and hope that their work can be moved on to the next stage as quickly as possible. The Prostate Cancer Charity is delighted to have part funded this important research,” Dr Rippon added.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For further information contact: Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on 0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nicola.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.
If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk