Research on prostate cancer biology, detection, and outcomes. Covers genetic clues, DNA damage, diet and survival, and screening awareness.
Researchers have discovered a biochemical pathway by which the sex hormone androgen increases levels of reactive oxygen species in the prostate gland, contributing to prostate cancer development. A new drug, MDL 72,527, has been shown to block this pathway, significantly prolonging survival and inhibiting tumour growth in mice.
Patients treated with IMRT had significantly fewer moderate and serious side effects, including urethral stricture and catheterization, compared to those who received I-125 seed brachytherapy. The study found excellent PSA outcomes after treatment in both groups.
Researchers found that higher doses of 74-82 Gray radiation significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer spreading to other parts of the body, even 8-10 years after treatment. Treatment centers using IMRT or 3D conformal radiation therapy with high doses can prevent cancer spread.
A study found that longer-term hormone therapy does not extend survival for high-risk prostate cancer patients. Instead, it may lead to a lesser degree of treatment side effects and improved quality of life.
New research reveals men treated with IMRT experience fewer long-term gastrointestinal side effects, despite higher radiation doses. The study found no significant difference in genitourinary side effects between the two treatments.
A study found that patients base their treatment choice on cultural and personal prejudices, with false beliefs about radiation's impact being a major concern. Patients were also anxious about the terminology used in radiation therapy, evoking feelings more related to war than a cure.
The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center's Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant has been renewed for an additional five years. The grant will fund translational research projects aimed at identifying biomarkers to predict response to therapy and developing non-invasive imaging options for diagnosis and treatment.
A study found that men with high PSA velocity had a lower survival rate (54%) compared to those with low velocity (92%). The study suggests that PSA velocity may be used to predict outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
Researchers found that a man's PSA velocity, or rate of increase in PSA levels, can accurately predict tumor aggression and danger. Men with lower PSA velocity have a 92% chance of not dying from prostate cancer within 25 years.
A large germline deletion in the Chek2 kinase gene is associated with an almost doubled risk of prostate cancer. The study found this deletion in 24% of healthy people and 0.8% of diagnosed patients from Poland, suggesting a higher prevalence among men from eastern Europe.
A new study found that obese men have lower levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and free PSA, suggesting they may be at higher risk for prostate cancer. The researchers also discovered an inverse relationship between BMI and PSA levels, which was strongest in men under 60.
Researchers have identified a new marker, AZGP1, that can predict which men with prostate cancer are likely to develop aggressive metastatic disease. This marker can help tailor treatment for individual patients and improve outcomes.
A study found that Tadalafil (Cialis) significantly improved erectile dysfunction in prostate cancer patients who underwent 3D-CRT. Successful intercourse rates were 48% for those taking Tadalafil, compared to 9% for placebo group.
A study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that high-dose intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) achieved a 89% disease-free rate for patients with prostate cancer after an average of 8 years. The treatment also showed improved quality of life by reducing side effects and maintaining urinary continence.
A large observational study found that men with local or regional prostate cancer receiving GnRH agonist therapy had a 44% higher risk of developing diabetes and a 16% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. Physicians should consider alternative treatments to mitigate these risks.
Research at Mayo Clinic found that 16% of men experience moderate or higher pain during prostate biopsies, with the injection of lidocaine causing more pain than ultrasound insertion. The location of biopsy, specifically the prostate apex, is a significant predictor of pain scores.
Researchers found a correlation between tNOX levels and tumor burden in prostate cancer patients, suggesting its potential as a reliable biomarker. The study showed that tNOX levels increased with disease progression and were more uniform in terms of disease severity than PSA scores.
A new protein in blood serum, human aspartyl beta-hydroxylase (HAAH), has shown promise as a sensitive and specific biomarker for early detection of prostate cancer. HAAH is overexpressed in at least 20 types of cancer and has been linked to tumor growth and invasiveness.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that men who took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had a 50 percent lower risk of developing an enlarged prostate and a 35 percent lower risk of moderate to severe urinary symptoms compared to non-users.
Researchers found that men with lower PSA levels after seven months of hormone therapy had a longer survival rate. Patients with undetectable or low PSA levels lived up to 75 months, while those with higher PSA levels survived for 13 months.
Researchers found a daily dose of 150mg bicalutamide reduced disease progression risk by 44% and overall death risk by 35% compared to radiotherapy alone. This non-castration-based therapy shows similar survival rates, potentially improving quality of life for patients unwilling to undergo castration.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a DNA segment on chromosome 8 that is a major risk factor for prostate cancer, especially in younger African American men. The study found that this region increases the likelihood of prostate cancer by about doubling it in younger African Americans.
A new study suggests that low-risk prostate cancer patients are being overtreated with aggressive therapies such as radiation and surgery. Waiting for treatment to be necessary may improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary harm.
Finasteride increases PSA testing's ability to detect prostate cancer with higher sensitivity and accuracy, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study found that men taking finasteride had improved PSA test performance compared to those taking a placebo.
A new study found that over half of men with lower-risk prostate cancer received aggressive treatment, despite active surveillance being a viable option. Men under 55 were more likely to receive surgery, while those aged 70-74 were more likely to receive radiation.
A recent study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies found that a plant-based diet combined with stress management training can significantly reduce the rate of progression of prostate cancer. The study showed a significant decrease in PSA levels, indicating a reduction in disease progression.
Researchers found that a healthier balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can reduce prostate cancer tumor growth rates and PSA levels by 22% and 77%, respectively. The study suggests using EPA and DHA supplements to lower inflammatory response in prostate cancer development.
Prostate cancer cells resist hormone treatment by activating three survival strategies involving the protein BAD. The discovery may lead to new treatments or ways to monitor treatment's intended effect, such as developing a drug to prevent BAD inhibition.
Research on POMx reveals its potent antioxidant properties, offering cardiovascular and disease protection similar to pomegranate juice. The study's findings align with previous research on the Wonderful variety of pomegranate, which has been linked to prostate cancer benefits.
Researchers found that pomegranate juice reduced PSA levels by 30% in patients with recurrent prostate cancer, slowing the doubling time of PSA levels. The antioxidant ellagic acid in pomegranate juice was also shown to increase nitric oxide production and induce programmed cell death.
A study at UCLA found that pomegranate juice can increase doubling times of PSA levels in men with prostate cancer, allowing for delayed use of hormone therapy. The study involved 50 men who experienced increases in PSA levels after surgery or radiation.
A study shows that a prostate cancer vaccine, sipuleucel-T, can increase survival by up to four-and-a-half months and provide a greater than three-fold increase in survival at 36 months compared to patients in the placebo group. The vaccine was well-tolerated with mild adverse effects.
Research finds obese patients have a 99% greater risk of developing biochemical failure and a 66% increased risk of tumor recurrence. Obesity can be an independent predictor of poor outcomes in prostate cancer, suggests the study.
A large-scale study found that smoking and obesity are strongly associated with a greater risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), while regular physical activity lowers the risk. Regular exercise was found to reduce ED risk by 2.5 times, emphasizing the importance of adopting a healthier lifestyle.
A study of 873 prostate cancer patients found that obesity increased risk of biochemical and clinical failure after radiation therapy. Men who were moderately or severely obese were at double the risk for biochemical failure, highlighting a link between obesity and prostate cancer progression.
A study by Thomas Denberg and colleagues found that fear, misconceptions, and anecdotal information significantly influence men's treatment decisions. Despite receiving health information, patients often struggle with recalling risks and benefits, leading to poor treatment choices.
A new test has been developed to detect prostate cancer spread in lymph nodes at an earlier stage, which may lead to better treatments and improved patient outcomes. The test was found to be more sensitive than existing methods and associated with increased recurrence and decreased survival rates.
A study by Vahakn B. Shahinian and colleagues found that urologist input significantly influences the use of hormone therapy for prostate cancer patients, with up to 21% of variance attributed to their decisions. This suggests that urologists can be targeted for interventions to modify treatment recommendations.
A new 'roulette wheel' tool can help patients visualize the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening, allowing them to make more informed decisions. The tool presents probabilities in a clear and accessible way, helping patients weigh the potential benefits against the risks.
A study comparing Japanese American and white male patients who received hormone treatment for prostate cancer found that the former had a significantly higher five-year overall survival rate of 66% compared to 42%. The result was not affected by cancer stage or PSA levels, suggesting genetic and lifestyle factors may play a role.
Researchers have discovered gene SLIRP with the potential to shut down oestrogen in breast cancer cells and testosterone in prostate cancer cells, depending on the cancers' survival. This breakthrough could lead to the development of 'smart' drugs that target specific genes, potentially reducing side effects and improving survival rates.
Researchers have developed a new treatment protocol combining radionuclide therapy and chemotherapy that induces regression of prostate cancer in patients with metastatic disease. The combination regimen has been shown to alleviate bone pain and produce clinical benefit, including prolonged survival and reduced PSA levels.
Researchers found a new predictor of disease for overweight men using PSA density calculation, helping to accurately diagnose prostate cancer in this high-risk group. The study analyzed 647 men with elevated PSA levels and identified a lower PSAD calculation needed for accurate diagnosis, beating prior predictors.
Researchers found that when treatment was restarted after a chemotherapy holiday, roughly three-quarters of study subjects responded again or experienced stabilized PSA levels. The median duration of the first chemotherapy holiday was 16 weeks, providing a clinically meaningful break for most patients.
A study found that early exposure to estrogen or BPA increases the risk of precancerous lesions in the prostate. Researchers discovered that this leads to epigenetic reprogramming, altering gene expression patterns that promote prostate disease with aging.
Research using transgenic mice found that lower levels of selenoproteins accelerate prostate cancer development, highlighting the importance of selenium-containing proteins in preventing cancer. Further research is needed to understand how selenium supplements can maximize benefits.
Researchers found that men with the same hemoglobin levels before treatment experienced significantly different overall and progression-free survival depending on whether they were black or white. Anemic blacks fare worse than anemic whites, while blacks with high baseline hemoglobin fare better.
A new study found that postmenopausal women who use statins have the same risk of invasive breast cancer as those who do not. Hydrophobic statins were associated with an 18% decreased risk of breast cancer, but individual statin associations warrant further research.
A recent study found that young men with localized prostate cancer can benefit from external beam radiation therapy, similar to older patients. The study showed no statistically significant differences in survival rates, disease progression, or signs of recurrence between three age groups: under 55, 60-69, and 70 and over.
Researchers have identified a novel protein called JHDM2A that plays a key role in gene activation mediated by the androgen receptor, a protein responding to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. This discovery has implications for prostate cancer treatment, as lowering androgen levels can shrink or slow cancer growth.
Researchers found that BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers experience a similar reduction in breast cancer risk with increasing number of pregnancies carried to full-term, parallel to that in the general population. Additionally, they discovered that first childbirth at age 20 years or older is associated with increased risk of breast ca...
Researchers developed a risk calculator that uses various statistical tests to analyze biopsy results, family history of prostate cancer, race, age, rectal examination results, and previous biopsy history. The model can help patients and physicians decide whether a prostate biopsy should be performed.
A study analyzing 551 men with prostate cancer found that a 30% decline in serum PSA levels within three months of treatment can reduce the risk of death by at least 50%. The researchers suggest that PSAs could be used as reliable endpoint measures for prostate cancer treatment efficacy.
Researchers found a statistically significant direct relationship between high cholesterol and prostate cancer. Men with prostate cancer were around 50% more likely to have had high cholesterol levels than non-prostate cancer controls, especially those diagnosed before age 50 or over 65.
Phenethyl-ITC, a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to suppress the growth of human prostate cancer cells. Mice grafted with human prostate tumors and administered PEITC daily exhibited significantly reduced tumor volume compared to controls.
Regular use of antihistamines has been linked to a higher risk of developing low-grade and anaplastic astrocytomas, two types of brain tumors. Conversely, anti-inflammatory medications may help protect against glioblastoma, a more deadly type of tumor.
A new study identifies a gene rearrangement involved in prostate cancer, suggesting that fusions involving ETV4 and two other genes may account for the majority of prostate cancers. The finding confirms the importance of the ETS gene pathway in causing prostate cancer.
A new human retrovirus, XMRV, has been found in patients with a rare type of prostate cancer, suggesting a possible link between the virus and cancer development. The discovery was made using a microarray-based screening method and found that prostate cancers with specific genetic mutations were more likely to harbor XMRV infection.
Scientists detect novel gammaretrovirus more frequently in men with RNASEL gene mutations, sparking questions about a potential viral cause for prostate cancer. The discovery raises several questions for future experimentation, including the relationship between the virus and the disease.
Research on grape seed extract's potential to lower blood pressure, discovery of new elements, and studies on prostate cancer were among the topics presented at the ACS meeting. The conference also featured discussions on improving America's scientific competitiveness and food safety.