Research on prostate cancer biology, detection, and outcomes. Covers genetic clues, DNA damage, diet and survival, and screening awareness.
A new report suggests that well over half of American men with non-aggressive prostate cancer could choose to monitor their disease instead of seeking immediate radiation treatment or surgery. Active surveillance relies on regular blood tests, physical exams, and periodic biopsies to screen for tumor growth before therapy is considered.
A new retrospective study found that men with prostate cancer treated with testosterone-lowering drugs are twice as likely to develop dementia within five years as those whose testosterone levels are not tampered with. The study used deidentified records from Stanford Medicine's clinical-research data warehouse and aggregated several f...
A new study found that androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer may be associated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly among older men. The study analyzed electronic medical records data and found a significant association between ADT use and dementia development.
A new study published in International Journal of Cancer found that men with prostate cancer who used snus were at increased risk of premature death. Snus users had higher levels of nicotine and exposure to carcinogens compared to never-users, suggesting a potential link between snus use and prostate cancer progression.
A phase III randomized controlled trial of custirsen in combination with cabazitaxel/prednisone found no significant survival gains compared to the placebo arm. Custirsen blocks clusterin production, which is involved in carcinogenesis and treatment resistance.
A five-year review of over 275,000 visits at UT Southwestern Medical Center showed that PSA testing remained unchanged despite revised guidelines discouraging its use. The study found slight increases in PSA levels after the guidelines were revised, but these had little clinical impact on treatment or results.
Researchers mapped patterns of prostate cancer recurrence using C-11 choline PET imaging and multiparametric MRI, identifying sites of recurrence that can be targeted for radiation therapy. Nearly two-thirds of men had recurrence limited to the pelvis, a potentially treatable area.
Researchers found that delivering higher doses of radiation over a shortened period was safe and associated with lower costs for patients with favorable-risk prostate cancer. The hypofractionated radiation therapy schedule demonstrated comparable quality of life outcomes to conventional radiation therapy.
NRG-RTOG 0232 study found no significant difference in 5-year progression-free survival between external beam radiation therapy plus brachytherapy and brachytherapy alone. The treatment combination also resulted in fewer late genitourinary effects, mostly noted in the brachytherapy only arm.
Researchers developed a new way to identify aggressive prostate cancer patients by analyzing their tumor's genetic pathways. The study found three subtypes of prostate tumors, with one subtype showing high disease progression and poor clinical outcomes.
A recent study suggests that the digital rectal exam (DRE) is no longer necessary for prostate cancer screening due to its limited effectiveness and potential risks. The DRE has been shown to capture an additional small population of men with significant prostate cancer, but it also subjects a large number of men to unnecessary tests.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that PSA failure increases the risk of death by 1.6-fold in healthy men, but not those with comorbidities like heart disease or stroke. The study suggests healthy men should be informed about clinical trials showing reduced PSA failure benefits.
Researchers found that CHD1-depleted human prostate cancer cells are hypersensitive to DNA breaks and chemotherapeutic drugs, including PARP inhibitors. This suggests CHD1 as a potential biomarker for targeted prostate cancer therapy.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a novel MRI method that can detect low levels of zinc ions to differentiate between healthy and malignant prostate tissue. This technique has the potential to serve as a biomarker for tracking prostate cancer progression.
Rates of early prostate cancer have continued to drop since the USPSTF recommendation, with localized/regional-stage incidence rates declining by 6-19% from 2011 to 2013. The decrease is attributed to changes in PSA testing rates and potentially unknown risk factors.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics has identified 45 noncoding genes associated with prostate cancer development and progression. These genes, known as noncoding RNA, play a key role in activating the disease process.
Researchers at Umeå University found that men with very high-risk prostate cancer treated at hospitals with a high proportion of radical local treatment had only half the mortality risk compared to those treated at low-proportion hospitals. Radical local therapy may prolong life for these patients.
Researchers developed a computational approach to identify individualized targets for therapy by analyzing patient-specific data and mapping complex networks of gene and protein interactions. The study provides insights into the mechanisms behind resistance to anti-androgen therapies and offers a tool for prioritizing effective drugs.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that African-American men treated with hormone therapy had a 77% higher risk of death compared to non-African American men. The study analyzed over 7,000 patients and found that the increased mortality rate was not due to prostate cancer.
A new scheme improved prostate cancer prognosis by grouping men into 5 strata based on clinical measurements like PSA level, disease stage, and tumor grade. This method performed better in predicting cancer death compared to the current risk stratification system.
A new study published in The Journal of Urology found no association between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) and reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. PDE-5i use was also not linked to lower or higher grade cancer types.
Scientists at Newcastle University have identified a group of molecules that can be targeted to slow tumor growth in prostate cancer patients. The research found that testosterone changes these molecules, making cancer cells more likely to survive and spread.
A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that non-Hispanic black men were more likely than white men to begin active treatment for low-risk prostate cancer, independent of clinical measures. Ethnicity influenced this decision, suggesting a need for greater attention to race/ethnicity in disease management.
A study identified two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of radiotherapy side-effects in prostate cancer patients, including rectal bleeding and urinary frequency. The findings suggest that these variants are located in genes expressed in tissues exposed to radiation.
A new trial has found that robotic and open prostate cancer surgeries achieve similar results in terms of quality of life indicators, urinary function, and sexual function. Longer-term follow-up is needed to assess the full impact on cancer survival.
Researchers found that patients on active surveillance for low risk prostate cancer experienced similar health-related quality of life as men without the disease. The study suggests that conservative management can be a safe option, allowing clinicians to counsel patients effectively about potential outcomes.
A study found significant differences in gene expression between African American and European American men with prostate cancer, highlighting racial disparities. Vitamin D supplementation reduced these disparities, suggesting a therapeutic potential for addressing racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes.
Researchers developed an analog of an investigational drug that binds to portions of the androgen receptor common to full-length and variant forms. This compound specifically detected prostate cancer cells expressing androgen receptor in a mouse model using SPECT/CT imaging.
A significant increase in metastatic prostate cancer cases has been observed, particularly among men aged 55-69. This rise is attributed to changes in screening practices and highlights the need for refining prostate cancer screening and treatment in the US.
A recent study by Northwestern University found that metastatic prostate cancer cases have increased by 72% between 2004 and 2013, with men aged 55-69 being disproportionately affected. The study suggests that both more aggressive disease and lax screening may be contributing factors.
A new pilot study evaluates an online decision-support tool called the Decision Counseling Program, which increases rates of active surveillance among men with localized, low-risk prostate cancer. Patients who used the tool reported feeling less conflicted about their treatment decisions.
Researchers at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute have reported promising results from a Phase II clinical trial of pembrolizumab, a PD-1 antibody, in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Three out of ten participants showed significant responses to treatment, including rapid decreases in PSA levels and tumor shrinkage.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center will investigate prostate cancer metastasis using a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates molecular, cellular and clinical information into mathematical models. The goal is to better understand the key factors driving disease progression and identify new therapeutic targets for prevention.
A new PET/MRI imaging test has been shown to improve the detection of significant prostate cancer, surpassing current multi-parametric MRI methods. The test's addition of molecular imaging based on F-18-choline positron emission tomography (PET) significantly improves the identification of clinically significant cancers.
A study of over 50,000 brothers of men with prostate cancer found that those with a family history were at increased risk of developing the disease. The risk was particularly high for those with an affected father or brother, and may be underestimated due to lack of awareness.
Researchers found that men with brothers who have had prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease, while those with both a father and brother have a threefold risk. Early screening for these men is recommended starting at age 40.
A study found that over 10% of men with metastatic prostate cancer have inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, more than four times the general population rate. These mutations could benefit from targeted treatment already approved for ovarian cancer patients.
A significant proportion of men with advanced prostate cancer have inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, making them eligible for precision treatments such as PARP inhibitors. Genetic testing could help identify these patients and offer targeted therapies to improve their treatment outcomes.
Researchers have discovered biomarkers using non-invasive liquid biopsies to identify aggressive disease in prostate cancer patients before surgery. The study uses urine samples from 210 patients and identifies a range of proteins that can help predict which patients have slow-growing versus aggressive cancer.
Researchers at Ontario Institute for Cancer Research created protein signatures to accurately diagnose prostate cancer and distinguish between aggressive and non-aggressive disease. The findings could lead to a non-invasive 'liquid biopsy' that provides faster, cheaper, and easier detection of prostate cancer.
A team of researchers at KIT developed a 3D model for prostate cancer research using cryogels, which can replicate natural processes and examine tumor development. The model has been recognized as the top story on Prostate Cell News.
A new study reveals that a single gene can drive prostate differentiation in seminal vesicle epithelial cells, suggesting potential insights into prostate cancer development. The research found that inducing expression of the Nkx3.1 gene caused seminal vesicle cells to convert into a prostate-like state.
A new radiotherapy regime for prostate cancer has been shown to be as effective as the current standard treatment, but with fewer hospital visits and less side effects. The 20-dose course is expected to save the NHS tens of millions of pounds per year.
Researchers found that men with prostate cancer who consumed tree nuts five or more times a week had a 34% lower risk of overall mortality. The study suggests that tree nuts may offer cardioprotective and anticarcinogenic benefits, supporting their inclusion in a healthy diet.
A new study by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging shows that PET/CT imaging using prostate-specific membrane antigen leads to highly accurate tumor detection and delineation, with a 67% accuracy rate.
A study of US men found that mid-life PSA levels can accurately predict future risk of lethal prostate cancer. Screening PSA levels in men at mid-life may help identify those who are at greater risk and should be monitored more closely.
Research from Baylor College of Medicine found that Notch activation promotes metastasis in prostate cancer by upregulating FoxC2, a molecule important for metastatic potential. The study used a mouse model with prostate-specific loss-of-function Pten to demonstrate the role of Notch in prostate cancer progression.
The research article discusses experimental and clinical data on the pharmacological inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathways, which play a vital role in prostate cancer. The blockade of this pathway may be necessary to increase standard therapies and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers at UCLA have found laser heat ablation to be a safe and effective treatment option for men with intermediate risk prostate cancer, with no serious adverse effects reported. The technique uses MRI guidance to target and destroy cancerous tissue, offering a middle ground between radical surgery and active surveillance.
A recent study found that sodium fluoride (Na-F-18) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (NaF-PET/CT) accurately detects bone metastases in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The imaging modality also correlates clearly with clinical outcomes and patient survival over time.
A large European study found that higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are associated with an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Men with greater adiposity have a higher risk of aggressive forms of the disease, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.
A University of California San Diego study describes a new imaging biomarker that enhances MRI to differentiate aggressive prostate cancer from low-grade or benign tumors. The technology, called restriction spectrum imaging (RSI), allows for non-invasive detection and prediction of tumor grade without biopsy.
A new Phase III clinical trial will evaluate if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can replace the current standard of care for diagnosing prostate cancer. The PRECISE trial aims to determine whether MRI imaging can spare some men from undergoing biopsies, reducing potential side effects.
Researchers identified key metabolic pathways altered in prostate cancer, with a potential therapeutic target for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Studying tumor metabolism offers new possibilities for treatment.
A Loyola Medicine study found that robotic-assisted surgery to remove the prostate reduces the risk of blood loss and prolonged hospital stays in obese prostate cancer patients. Compared to open surgery, robotic-assisted surgery was associated with a 83% lower rate of blood transfusions and a 72% lower rate of prolonged hospital stays.
Researchers developed a new approach to prostate cancer treatment using vessel-sparing radiation combined with MRI. The technique reduces side effects such as erectile dysfunction and bladder or rectal irritation while achieving high cure rates.
The IsoPSA test detects prostate cancer by identifying molecular changes in the prostate specific antigen (PSA) protein. It also differentiates between high-risk and low-risk disease, as well as benign conditions.
A longitudinal Nordic study shows that combining hormone therapy with local radiotherapy halves the risk of death from prostate cancer 15 years after diagnosis. Researchers found that treatments with radiotherapy reduced mortality rates from 34 to 17 percent.
A large analysis of medical records in Sweden found that men taking testosterone therapy for over a year had no increased risk of prostate cancer and, in fact, had their risk reduced by 50 percent. The study's findings suggest that balancing testosterone levels within a normal range may be key to protecting against aggressive disease.
Effective patient-physician communication is crucial for prostate cancer survivors' physical and emotional well-being. A study of 1772 patients found that good communication at least 3 years after surgery is associated with improved quality of life.