Research on prostate cancer biology, detection, and outcomes. Covers genetic clues, DNA damage, diet and survival, and screening awareness.
A study employing mouse models and genomic analysis of human tumors identified the Smad4 gene as a driver in bone metastasis, while 14 other genes were found to be associated with human prostate cancer prognosis. Telomerase activation confers new strengths on tumors, enabling them to progress and acquire deadly characteristics.
Four new drugs offer innovative methods of action against prostate cancer, including bone protective agents, hormone treatments and immunotherapy. These advancements could extend survival prognosis and potentially turn prostate cancer into a chronic disease.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that curcumin suppresses nuclear receptor activators, which can bypass androgen deprivation therapy. Curcumin also reduced cell number and inhibited survival in prostate cancer cells, with similar results seen in mice studies.
Researchers found a significant correlation between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer in a large study, suggesting that heart disease may be a risk factor for the malignancy. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and a healthy diet may help combat both conditions.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified a new protein called ARD1 that plays a critical role in the development and growth of prostate cancer. Inactivating this protein completely suppresses cancer growth, making it a potential target for new treatments.
A multicenter study found two biomarkers in urine to correlate with aggressive prostate cancer among men on active surveillance. The markers, PCA3 and TMPRSS2-ERG, may lead to a non-invasive test to complement biopsy for predicting disease aggressiveness and progression.
A study by UCSF researchers found that vigorous exercise is linked to increased expression of genes thought to prevent cancer progression. The study identified nearly 200 genes in healthy prostate tissue that are more active among men who exercised vigorously for at least three hours a week.
The phase III clinical trial shows that men treated with MDV3100 had a median survival of 18.4 months compared to 13.6 months for those receiving placebo, resulting in a 37% reduction in mortality risk. This breakthrough treatment tackles drug-resistant prostate cancer, providing new hope for patients.
Research from the 2012 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium highlights promising new therapies for prostate cancer, including vigorous exercise and targeted drugs that improve survival rates. The studies also compare existing treatments, such as radiation therapy and hormone therapy, to determine their effectiveness.
A new study published in Radiology found that preoperative MRI helps surgeons make informed decisions about nerve-sparing procedures for men with prostate cancer. The imaging modality changed the surgical plan in 28% of patients, without compromising oncologic outcomes.
A Kansas State University researcher is studying foods and dietary supplements that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Finasteride and dutasteride drugs, which lower testosterone levels, have shown promise in reducing prostate cancer incidence but may lead to worse outcomes for those who develop the disease.
A commonly used medication for enlarged prostates may also slow the progression of early-stage prostate cancer, according to a new study. The treatment, dutasteride, was found to delay disease progression and reduce anxiety related to the disease in patients undergoing active surveillance.
A three-year clinical trial shows dutasteride delays prostate cancer disease progression by 38% compared to placebo, while also reducing anxiety. The study suggests a viable treatment option for men with low-risk disease, offering a safer alternative to aggressive local treatment.
Researchers at Wayne State University are investigating the role of c-kit in bone metastasis of prostate cancer. They aim to understand how factors from the bone stimulate the production of c-kit and its ligand in prostate cancer cells, facilitating their growth and survival.
Researchers have identified a rare genetic mutation linked to a significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer, particularly in men with a family history of early-onset disease. The mutation, called HOXB13, is associated with a 10-20 times higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
Researchers have identified a rare, inherited mutation linked to a significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer. The mutation was found in 10-20 times more men who inherited it compared to the general population. Further studies may lead to genetic testing for inherited prostate cancer.
Men in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial had no evidence of a mortality benefit from annual PSA testing compared to usual care. The study found a higher percentage of deaths from other causes among prostate cancer patients diagnosed with PSA screening, indicating over-diagnosis.
New research confirms that annual prostate cancer screening does not reduce deaths from the disease, even among men in their 50s and 60s with underlying health conditions. The study found that six years of aggressive screening led to more diagnoses of tumors but not fewer deaths.
A study found that biopsy referral rates for men with high PSA levels remained stable despite recent recommendations to lower the threshold. Biopsies became slightly less common over time, likely due to growing awareness of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
An independent panel recommends closely monitoring men with localized, low-risk prostate cancer to delay treatment until disease progression. However, standardizing definitions and conducting additional studies are needed to clarify management strategies and optimize patient outcomes.
Researchers suggest combining PSA testing with factors like prostate size, weight, and family history to identify aggressive cancers and avoid unnecessary biopsies. This approach could potentially save up to a quarter of men from undergoing biopsies and related risks.
A new molecular imaging probe using ghrelin exploits the hunger hormone's unique consumption pattern by malignant prostate cancer cells. The test showed the signal was almost 5 times stronger in malignant cancer cells than in normal or benign cells.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals that protein BMP7 signals prostate tumor cells to enter a state of dormancy. Withdrawal of this protein restarts tumor growth, offering potential new therapies to prevent recurrence.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that increased consumption of ground beef or processed meat is positively associated with aggressive prostate cancer. The research team suggests that this result is due to increased levels of carcinogens in meat prepared using high heat methods, such as grilling or barbecuing.
A new mathematical model predicts individual patient responses to therapy and identifies optimal treatments for advanced prostate cancer. The model incorporates personalized data, including tumor cell characteristics, to provide more accurate treatment decisions.
Researchers discovered that the genes AURKA and MYCN were overexpressed in neuroendocrine prostate cancers, leading to the inhibition of tumor growth by PHA-739358. This study provides new hope for treating a highly lethal form of prostate cancer.
Researchers have identified a genetic vulnerability in an aggressive type of prostate cancer, found in fewer than 2% of tumors but potentially treatable with targeted therapy. The study discovered that a specific drug, PHA-739358, showed dramatic responses in animal models and is now being tested in human trials.
A study published in The Lancet shows denosumab can delay time to bone metastasis in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Denosumab significantly increases bone-metastasis-free survival by over four months compared to placebo, with improved outcomes also seen in delayed first bone metastasis.
A clinical trial found that denosumab treatment increases bone-metastasis-free survival by an average of four months in men with prostate cancer. The drug targets the bone microenvironment to prevent tumor spread.
Research published in BMJ Open found a significant association between contraceptive pill use and increased rates of new prostate cancer cases and deaths globally. The study suggests that environmental oestrogen exposure from oral contraceptive metabolism may contribute to this risk.
A recent study published in the Journal of Urology found that prostate cancer patients who undergo radical prostatectomy experience fewer complications and shorter hospital stays at teaching hospitals compared to non-academic institutions. The study suggests that the characteristics of teaching hospitals, including higher subspecialty ...
Combining radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy significantly improves overall survival for men with locally advanced prostate cancer. The study, published in The Lancet, found that patients receiving both treatments had a higher 7-year survival rate compared to those receiving ADT alone.
Research shows that repeated administrations of radionuclide therapy with 188Re-HEDP improve overall survival rates, reducing pain in prostate cancer patients with hormone-refractory bone metastases. The study found significant increases in post-treatment survival for patients receiving two or three therapies.
Researchers at Centenary Institute found prostate cancer cells have more pumps than normal, allowing them to take in leucine and outgrow normal cells. Disrupting these pumps slowed cancer growth by as much as 50%, offering hope for a treatment that slows tumor growth without surgical removal.
A study by Thordis Thorsteinsdottir found that men with prostate cancer are twice as likely to commit suicide, but a method called expressive writing can reduce this risk. Expressive writing involves getting the men affected to spend 20 minutes writing down their feelings on at least three occasions after getting their cancer diagnosis.
A low-fat diet with fish oil supplements slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells in human tissue compared to a traditional Western diet. The men on the low-fat diet also showed changes in cell membrane composition, increasing omega-3 fatty acids and decreasing omega-6 fatty acids.
A Mayo Clinic study has found that a baseline PSA test in men aged 40-60 can predict the risk of subsequent and low-risk prostate cancer. The study, which followed over 600 men for prostate outcomes, showed that men with elevated PSA levels were more likely to undergo biopsies and be diagnosed with low-risk cancer.
Recent studies support the use of C-11 choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) scans as a staging and potentially therapeutic tool for prostate cancer. The studies found that PET/CT scans can accurately diagnose localized disease recurrence, allowing for targeted treatment options.
A University of Rochester analysis found that older men are more likely to die from prostate cancer due to late-stage diagnosis. The study's lead author notes that overall health plays a significant role in life expectancy following a cancer diagnosis.
Researchers discovered a gene has opposite effects in prostate and breast cancers, promoting growth when 'on' or 'off'. This finding suggests treating prostate and breast cancers requires distinct strategies, with blocking AR effective for prostate cancer but supporting AR production for breast cancer.
Researchers will explore molecular changes in prostate cancer progression to therapy resistance using cutting-edge technologies like molecular imaging and ultra-high throughput DNA sequencing.
A large national study has found that men taking a daily vitamin E supplement face an increased risk of prostate cancer. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) tracked over 35,000 men and found a 17 percent higher incidence of prostate cancer in those taking the supplement.
A study of over 35,000 men found that daily vitamin E supplementation was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The researchers observed a 17% higher rate of prostate cancer detection in the vitamin E group compared to the placebo group.
A new NIH-funded study shows that taking high doses of vitamin E daily increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. Compared to a placebo group, men who took vitamin E supplements had 11 more cases of prostate cancer per 1,000 men over a seven-year period.
Researchers found that patients with a family history of prostate cancer had equivalent PSA controls, freedom from metastasis, and overall survival following radiotherapy. This suggests that more aggressive treatment may not be necessary for these patients.
A study by Fox Chase researchers found that a portion of the prostate bed is outside IMRT treatment margins in post-prostatectomy patients, suggesting too little treatment in the target area and too much in surrounding structures. The Calypso system helps ensure precise delivery within narrow treatment margins.
Fox Chase researchers have developed a new nomogram that uses factors like PSA level, Gleason score, and interval to biochemical failure to estimate a patient's five- and 10-year risk of death. The tool helps doctors identify patients at highest risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a method to isolate and collect fragile prostate cancer cells using inertial microfluidic technology. The approach uses cell size for separation, eliminating the need for biological markers or external forces.
A team of Seattle researchers has mapped the genome of advanced prostate cancers, identifying 'hypermutation' as a key driver of disease progression and potential resistance to therapies. The study provides clues for early detection and new therapeutic strategies.
A randomized trial found that a shorter radiation course for prostate cancer with hypofractionation is as effective as conventional radiation therapy at five years after treatment. The study used intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to limit dose to normal tissues, reducing side effects.
A study found that men treated with IMRT had 26% fewer late bowel and rectal side effects than those receiving 3D-CRT. The treatment also showed a statistically significant decrease in acute toxicity.
A study found that men over 75 with prostate cancer are being undertreated, while those with a single comorbid condition are being overtreated. The study suggests that individual medical problems impact survival more than age alone.
A new study found that couples counseling can significantly improve the sex lives of prostate cancer survivors and their spouses. The therapy was shown to be effective in improving men's sexual function and satisfaction, as well as enhancing their partner's experience.
Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that couples counseling significantly improves sexual satisfaction and function for prostate cancer survivors and their partners. Internet-based sexual counseling was shown to be equally effective as traditional sex therapy.
A phase III clinical trial shows that abiraterone acetate significantly improves fatigue in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The treatment also delays the progression of fatigue and has a potential survival benefit.
Researchers have developed a new bone-targeting drug that can delay the onset of metastases in hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients. The study showed that denosumab prolonged bone metastasis-free survival significantly compared to placebo, improving patient quality of life.
Two new risk indicators for prostate cancer have been identified, showing an association between benign prostatic hyperplasia and an increased risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer. Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in healthy men also predict long-term risk of developing prostate cancer.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found a significant rise in serious prostate biopsy complications requiring hospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries. Hospital admission rates were two-fold higher among those who underwent a biopsy compared to controls, with infection-related complications on the rise since 2000.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a gene-based imaging system that can detect castration-resistant prostate cancer earlier than conventional methods. The system uses specific genes and reporter genes to accurately identify the spread of the disease, giving oncologists more time to treat it and pot...
Research suggests that genetic variations in mRNA and microRNA play a critical role in prostate cancer disparities between African-American and white men. The findings could lead to more specialized treatment options for African-American patients.