Research on prostate cancer biology, detection, and outcomes. Covers genetic clues, DNA damage, diet and survival, and screening awareness.
A new clinical trial has shown that a gene-targeted drug, olaparib, can benefit up to 33% of patients with treatment-resistant advanced prostate cancer. The trial found that men whose tumours had defects in DNA repair machinery responded particularly well to the drug.
A new genetic discovery has identified a significant gene called miR137 that is switched off in prostate cancer cells, contributing to the disease's initiation and progression. The study also identified potential targets for next-generation drugs to treat prostate cancer.
Black men with localized prostate cancer had poorer quality care, higher costs, and worse postoperative outcomes compared to white men. However, the authors found no difference in cancer-specific or overall death between the two groups.
The RTOG 9601 study found that adding anti-androgen therapy to salvage radiotherapy improved overall survival and reduced prostate cancer death. The treatment also showed no significant increase in radiation toxicity.
Primary care providers should screen men aged 45 and older with a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. If the patient is asymptomatic, a 5-year screening interval may be considered.
Researchers identified a key mechanism driving prostate cancer development, where normal cells undergo epigenetic reprogramming to form malignant growth. The study provides insights into the origins of prostate cancer and potential targets for prevention and treatment.
Researchers presented various applications of Bio-Rad's Droplet Digital PCR, including copy number determination, genome editing, and liquid biopsy. The technology demonstrated precision, reproducibility, and sensitivity in detecting complex genomic rearrangements and biomarker levels.
A new population-based study found no association between testosterone therapy and aggressive prostate cancer risk over a five-year period. The study analyzed data from Medicare linked records and included 52,579 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2001-2006.
The new guidelines promise to improve the detection of life-threatening tumors and reduce unnecessary biopsies, with the potential to save lives. The standards for acquiring and reporting MRI scans will be widely adopted, making it easier for doctors to identify significant cancers.
Researchers are investigating two new avenues for detection and treatment of advanced prostate cancer, focusing on biochemical reactions downstream of the androgen receptor. By targeting the metabolism of cancer cells, they aim to bypass ineffective drugs and develop new therapies.
New research analyzed data from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify prostate cancer risk factors. The study found that age, race, and family history are significant risk factors for prostate cancer, while obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking show a protective effect.
A new trial has shown that giving patients fewer but higher doses of radiotherapy is as effective in treating prostate cancer as longer treatment periods. The study found that this approach resulted in fewer side effects and reduced the need for hospital visits, potentially saving over 150,000 trips per year.
A recent study found that reduced prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening led to a decline in intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer diagnoses by 28% over a year. However, this reduction also resulted in delayed diagnoses of important cancers in men who may benefit from treatment, according to investigators.
A long-term follow-up study found that men with comorbidity and a prior heart attack who received androgen deprivation therapy had a higher risk of fatal heart attacks. The study suggests that treatment with radiation therapy alone may be a safer option for these patients.
A study suggests that radiation therapy alone is associated with decreased overall and cardiac mortality in men with unfavorable-risk prostate cancer and moderate or severe comorbidity. In contrast, the combination of radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy may not provide additional benefits for these patients.
Active surveillance can reduce overtreatment by almost 50 percent at 15 years, according to a new review article. The approach involves monitoring and testing patients with regular intervals, rather than immediate treatment. The authors found that this strategy can balance the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in prostate cancer.
A new imaging agent, Ga-68 PSMA, significantly improved detection of early recurrent prostate cancer in a study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The agent was found to detect sites of possible recurrence in 50% of patients with low PSA levels, compared to only 12.5% for another widely used agent.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine analyzed survival statistics of 1,298 men with low-risk prostate tumors and found that only two died of prostate cancer after 15 years, while three developed metastatic disease. This suggests that carefully selected patients in active surveillance programs are unlikely to be harmed by their disease.
Researchers developed a molecular imaging biomarker that detects fast-growing primary prostate cancer and distinguishes it from benign prostate lesions. The new PSMA-based PET imaging technique was more specific than MR imaging for detecting clinically significant high-grade prostate cancer lesions.
Black men in England face a double lifetime risk of being diagnosed with and dying from prostate cancer compared to their white counterparts. The study reveals that Asian men have half the lifetime risk, highlighting the need for targeted awareness-raising and informed decision-making about PSA tests.
A new study using human embryonic stem cells suggests that early exposure to bisphenol A may lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. The research found that BPA caused the development of prostate organoids to produce an overabundance of prostate stem cells, which could be a risk factor for cancer.
Researchers have identified five distinct types of prostate cancer with unique genetic fingerprints, which could help doctors predict the aggressiveness of tumors and choose the best course of treatment. This breakthrough discovery has important implications for how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated in the future.
University of York scientists identified how tiny regulatory molecules in cells make prostate cancers resistant to radiotherapy. By manipulating these critical micro-RNAs, it may be possible to kill more cancer stem cells and extend the lives of thousands of men.
Researchers found that men with low-risk prostate cancer are increasingly opting for active surveillance, while those with higher-risk tumors are receiving more aggressive treatments. This shift aims to reduce overtreatment and improve outcomes for patients.
Researchers identified a subset of genes known as biomarkers that define a genomic subtype of prostate cancer more common in African American men. This subtype signals a more aggressive disease and is defined by the absence or low levels of three genes: ERG, ETS, and SPINK1.
A new study found that increased radiation dose offers no survival benefit for patients with low-risk prostate cancer. In contrast, men with medium- and high-risk cancers saw improved survival rates with higher doses.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered DNA-PKcs as a central regulator of metastatic processes in prostate cancer. The kinase modulates signaling networks that turn on metastatic processes, and its levels can predict poor outcomes in patients. A potential drug inhibitor, CC-115, is currently being tested in clinical trials.
Rates of active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer increased sharply from 2010 to 2013, while high-risk disease was treated more appropriately with local treatments. Treatment patterns varied across individual practices, but suggest a genuine change in prostate cancer management in the US.
Researchers developed a smart sensor chip that can detect subtle differences in glycoprotein molecules, improving prostate cancer diagnosis accuracy and reducing false positives. The technology focuses on the carbohydrate part of the molecule, which is essential for detecting disease.
A UCLA review of common practices in prostate cancer has found that monitoring men with very low- and low-risk prostate cancers using watchful waiting or active surveillance is an effective approach for many patients. This approach could spare them the debilitating side effects of aggressive treatments, which are often used unnecessari...
RIT professor Hans Schmitthenner is designing molecular imaging compounds that selectively target prostate cancer cells, using contrast dyes for improved detection. The preclinical phase project aims to enhance image-directed biopsies, potentially reducing pain and side effects.
A small molecule agent PSMA-617 specifically attaches to prostate-specific membrane antigen on cancer cells, allowing for early detection of secondary tumors and monitoring response to therapy. This agent has shown promising results in PET scans and holds potential as a therapeutic option for hormone-resistant prostate carcinoma.
A Vanderbilt-led study found a 28% decline in new prostate cancer diagnoses in the U.S. following the USPSTF's recommendation to discontinue routine PSA screenings. This decrease was observed mainly among low-risk cancers and men over age 70.
A new blood test has been developed to identify men with a genetically inherited risk of developing prostate cancer. The test analyzes DNA variants associated with increased risk and has shown promise in identifying high-risk individuals.
A small clinical trial found that men with advanced prostate cancer and the AR-V7 gene variant respond to chemotherapy just as well as those without the variant. The study's findings may lead to improved treatment decision-making for patients with prostate cancer.
A new molecular imaging agent has been developed to detect prostate cancer that has spread to other tissues. The agent targets the PSMA enzyme, which is associated with prostate cancer, and has shown high accuracy in detecting disease sites, including those not identified by conventional methods.
Researchers developed PSMA-617, a theranostic drug that detects prostate cancer and targets enzyme on cancer cells. The technology shows substantial reduction in radiotracer uptake and significant decrease in PSMA in blood after therapy, indicating positive response.
A novel radionuclide drug, PSMA-617, has been developed to target prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) on prostate cancer cells, allowing for personalized diagnosis and therapy. The drug showed promising results in a human clinical trial, with effective imaging and therapeutic effects.
A team of researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified interleukin-6 as a key player in driving aggressive and hormone therapy-resistant prostate cancer. The discovery holds promise for developing targeted treatments and improving patient outcomes.
A study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that men with prostate cancer who followed a Western diet had a significantly higher risk of death, including prostate cancer-related mortality and overall mortality. In contrast, those on a 'prudent' diet had a lower risk of death from all causes.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic have discovered a metabolite of the FDA-approved drug abiraterone that shows more anti-cancer properties than its precursor. The new compound, D4A, has been found to be more effective at killing aggressive prostate cancer cells, suggesting potential benefits for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
A study has identified a possible new combination chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The treatment, combining cabazitaxel and carboplatin, significantly extended progression-free survival by 2.3 months compared to single-agent therapy.
Researchers found that Polyphenon E, a green tea extract, reduced combined rates of prostate cancer and atypical small acinar proliferation, as well as decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen in men with premalignant lesions. The study suggests that EGCG, the most abundant catechin in green tea, may play a role in these effects.
A new gene subgroup has been identified as a key driver of prostate cancer, allowing for the development of personalized treatment options. The study found that half of all prostate cancer patients have mutations in either C-MYC or L-MYC genes, which can influence disease aggression and treatment response.
A large international study found that approximately 90% of cases with advanced prostate cancer harbor clinically actionable genetic anomalies. The researchers sequenced DNA and RNA from tumor biopsy samples to identify potential treatments, shedding light on this aggressive type of cancer.
A recent study has identified genetic abnormalities in prostate cancer that can be targeted with existing or potential drugs, providing a new approach to treatment. The research found that nearly all tumors had at least one genetic aberration, including mutations in the androgen receptor gene.
A comprehensive map of genetic mutations in advanced prostate cancers has been created, revealing that nearly 90% of patients have actionable mutations. This breakthrough could lead to targeted treatments and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified a molecule, PMEPA1, that promotes metastasis of advanced prostate cancer to the bone, which can lead to incurable conditions. The discovery may offer new targets for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.
A national survey found that only one in ten Australians report being told about the risk of overdiagnosis by their doctors, while over 90% believe people should be informed. Overdiagnosis occurs when someone is diagnosed with a disease that will never cause harm due to unnecessary labelling and treatment.
A new urine-based test, Mi-Prostate Score, has been shown to improve prostate cancer detection compared to traditional models based on PSA levels. The test combines PSA with two markers for prostate cancer, T2:ERG and PCA3, and can detect more aggressive forms of the disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that men with a history of asthma are 29% less likely to be diagnosed with lethal prostate cancer. Overall, asthmatic men were 36% less likely to die from the disease.
A new study led by Henry Ford Hospital researchers found that hospitals with low volumes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomies experienced a significantly higher complication rate compared to those with high volumes. The study suggests that current fee-for-service healthcare models may be to blame for this disparity.
The Prolaris test helps physicians determine the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, enabling personalized treatment plans. In a clinical validation study, the test showed that at the active surveillance threshold, predicted 10-year survival rates were 97% and risk of mortality was 3%.
Researchers have developed a new screening method for prostate cancer recurrence using spatial light interference microscopy. The study found that disorganized connective tissue surrounding the glands is a key indicator of higher risk for recurrence.
A new study found that adding radiation therapy to treatments blocking testosterone's effects can control tumors and save lives for men with node-positive prostate cancer. This combination therapy reduced death rates by 50% compared to hormone therapy alone in patients with regional lymph nodes.
A new study by Moffitt researchers found that younger men and those with a lower body mass index are more prone to experiencing hot flashes during androgen deprivation therapy. The study analyzed patient characteristics and DNA to identify genetic factors associated with an increased number of hot flashes.
Research suggests that statin use may delay resistance to androgen deprivation therapy in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Statins block the uptake of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, a precursor of testosterone, thereby prolonging time to disease progression.
Myriad Genetics to present three studies supporting the use of Prolaris in predicting outcomes and personalizing treatment plans for men with localized prostate cancer. The tests demonstrate a new active surveillance threshold and validate an active surveillance threshold, showing potential for improved care.
Men who took statin drugs while receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer had a longer disease control period compared to those who didn't take statins. The study found that statins could delay disease progression by reducing the tumor's available androgen pool.
A recent study found that the Ga-68-PSMA-ligand PET/CT detected a large number of positive findings in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, particularly at low PSA-values. The tracer's higher detection rates compared to other imaging methods suggest an early detection advantage for further clinical management.