Research on prostate cancer biology, detection, and outcomes. Covers genetic clues, DNA damage, diet and survival, and screening awareness.
Evidence suggests PSA screening may not significantly reduce prostate cancer mortality rates. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings and provide clarity on the effectiveness of PSA screening at a population level.
A new PET tracer, 11C-acetate, has been found to detect prostate cancer earlier and more accurately than 18F-FDG PET. This breakthrough may enable the detection of cancers that are currently undetectable by conventional methods.
A diagnostic scan called capromab pendetide immunoscintigraphy can detect recurrent disease if it is localized to the area of prior prostate surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. The study found that this imaging tool is more sensitive than CT and bone scans in identifying the site and extent of disease recurrence.
A new study finds that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is clinically unreliable for diagnosing prostate cancer, with low levels not meaningfully related to the disease. Prostate cancer is being over-diagnosed and over-treated due to a misconception about PSA's role in the disease.
A new prostate cancer vaccine developed at Duke University Medical Center has shown promising results, boosting the patient's immune system to fight cancer. The vaccine, made from the patient's own dendritic cells, causes no adverse side effects and activates T cell responses against tumor cells.
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT, is the largest-ever clinical trial for prostate cancer prevention. The study aims to investigate whether taking selenium and vitamin E supplements can prevent prostate cancer in men of all races and ethnic backgrounds.
Scientists have identified a specific gene, RNASEL, in the HPC1 region linked to hereditary prostate cancer in some families. The study found mutations that inactivate this cellular self-destruct mechanism, explaining why some prostate cells become cancerous.
Researchers have identified matrix metalloproteinases as a key player in the spread of prostate cancer to the bone, offering a new target for treatment. Additionally, a genetic marker may be useful in predicting survival rates for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, while oral contraceptive use has been found to reduce ovarian...
Fewer than half the physicians surveyed thought early detection would reduce mortality rates. Routine screening was often offered due to perceived standard of care or fear of malpractice lawsuits.
A study by Stanford University urologist James D. Brooks confirms a direct connection between selenium and reduced risk of prostate cancer, particularly among older men with lower blood levels of the essential mineral.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a potential new screening test for prostate cancer by measuring the level of GSTP1 methylation in tissue samples. High levels of methylation were detected in 91.3% of early-stage cancers and 53.6% of precancerous lesions, suggesting its potential as an early diagnostic marker.
A new experimental drug called 2C4 has shown to significantly inhibit tumor growth in hormone-dependent and resistant prostate cancer tumors in mice. The monoclonal antibody targets the HER-2/neu protein, which controls cell growth and stimulates tumor growth.
Prostate cancer screening is a contentious issue due to its potential impact on quality of life and the need for well-informed decision-making. The article highlights the limitations of current research, including the lack of data on risk-benefit analysis and the importance of avoiding unnecessary anxiety and treatment.
The rate of prostate cancer diagnosis has increased significantly, with only 3-5% of newly diagnosed patients having advanced disease. However, the impact of this shift on mortality rates is uncertain, as PSA screening can lead to over-treatment and unnecessary aggressive treatment.
A new 'double suicide gene' therapy has shown promise in treating prostate cancer by carrying pairs of fused genes directly into cancer cells and inducing self-destruction. The technique achieved "greater levels of targeted cytotoxicity" than single suicide gene therapy, with minimal toxicities reported among patients.
Exisulind, a new selective apoptotic anti-neoplastic drug, delays disease progression in men with recurrent prostate cancer by slowing the rise of PSA levels. The study also found significant inhibition of tumor growth in mice, suggesting potential as a treatment option for advanced prostate cancer.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that medication pamidronate prevented bone loss in men with prostate cancer who received androgen-deprivation therapy. The study showed significant differences in bone mineral density between the treatment and control groups.
A large study of male physicians found that high calcium intake, particularly from dairy products, was associated with a 30-34% increased risk of prostate cancer. The authors suggest that this may be due to the suppression of vitamin D production, which is thought to protect against prostate cancer.
A computerized tool called Prostogram offers about 66% accuracy in predicting five-year prognosis following brachytherapy treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. The nomogram is based on individual factors such as PSA levels, Gleason score, and disease stage.
A study published by the American Chemical Society found that consuming three-fourths cup of tomato sauce daily for three weeks reduced DNA damage and PSA levels in 24 black volunteers with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. This suggests that eating extra tomato sauce may be beneficial to those at high risk for prostate cancer.
Researchers at U-M discovered nearly 200 genes with varying expression profiles in normal and malignant prostate tissue. The study identified new clinical biomarkers, hepsin and pim-1, which were correlated with patient prognosis and could lead to new diagnostic tests.
The study found that exisulind significantly suppressed the rise in PSA levels compared to placebo, especially in high-risk patients. Exisulind therapy also lengthened the median PSA doubling time, suggesting a delay in disease progression.
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) aims to determine if these two dietary supplements can protect against prostate cancer. The study will include 32,400 men across the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and will take up to 12 years to complete.
A new pilot study suggests that a combination of a low-fat diet and flaxseed supplement may be protective against prostate cancer. The researchers found significant decreases in cholesterol levels and testosterone, as well as lower proliferation rates and higher apoptosis rates in tumor cells among those on the diet.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found a direct positive relationship between lifetime female sexual partners and the risk of prostate cancer in middle-aged men. Men with 30 or more partners had over twice the risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those with fewer partners.
A new study at Ohio State University found that using an extended sector biopsy technique can detect cancer in 13.5% more men than traditional methods. The additional tissue samples improved the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnoses, particularly for cancers detected inside the gland.
Researchers discovered that introducing a tiny mutation in the telomerase enzyme can trigger a DNA damage response, inducing cell-cycle arrest or cell death in human cancer cells. This approach could lead to a new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Researchers developed a new phased-array transducer system that enables electronic scanning of the prostate, reducing the need for mechanical adjustments. The design uses separate elements and adjusted signal timing to move the focus electronically.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have developed a new mouse model that shows gene mutations leading to 100% prostate cancer incidence. This discovery provides insight into genetic variations causing more severe forms of prostate cancer in humans.
A novel therapy employing the immune system to attack prostate cancer cells has been found to slow disease progression in some men and decrease PSA levels. The study's results show that modified dendritic cells can train lymphocytes to recognize prostate cancer cells, leading to a stronger immune response.
A University of California, San Francisco study found that the herbal supplement PC-SPES significantly reduces PSA levels in men with hormone-independent disease, providing a new treatment option. The study also shows promise for shrinking tumors and improving quality of life.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests that current PSA screening strategies should be changed. Testing men at ages 40 and 45, and then every two years after age 50, may prevent more deaths than waiting until age 50.
Researchers found that combining radiation therapy with androgen suppression therapy significantly reduced the risk of PSA failure in men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. The treatment showed efficacy even in low-risk patients, suggesting a potential benefit for all early-stage prostate cancer patients.
Researchers have identified three candidate regions on chromosomes 5q, 7q, and 19q that may contain genes influencing prostate cancer aggressiveness. These regions are associated with a higher Gleason score, indicating poor differentiation of tumor cells and increased risk of metastasis.
Researchers found that patients with localized prostate cancer who received higher doses of radiation lived longer and had better local control of their cancer. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, examined data from 1560 patients treated between 1975 and 1995.
Researchers are testing two vaccines, using vaccinia and fowlpox viruses, to treat prostate cancer that has spread beyond the gland. The goal is to boost the patient's immune system and eliminate cancer cells before they become symptomatic.
Abarelix depot-M successfully suppresses testosterone levels, achieving suppression by day 8 and maintaining it from day 29 through day 85. The studies validated PRAECIS' core technology and demonstrate a potentially new treatment option for prostate cancer.
A Phase III trial shows long-term hormone suppression can control recurrence and improve survival in prostate cancer patients. The treatment significantly reduces disease-free survival, local progression, and freedom from distant metastasis.
Researchers found two protein biomarkers, cIAP-1 and XIAP, that correlate with distant metastasis-free survival in prostate cancer patients. Elevated levels of these proteins were associated with a higher risk of relapse after radiation therapy.
A study of 31 prostate cancer patients found that quality of life returns to normal within a year following brachytherapy, with urinary symptoms disappearing. The treatment was compared to other options like removal of the prostate or standard radiation therapy, which carry higher risks of decreased sexual function and bowel problems.
A study of 50 patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta found that rectally administered lidocaine gel significantly reduced pain during transrectal prostate biopsy. Patients who received lidocaine rated their pain as moderate to severe, while those without anesthetic experienced more discomfort.
Researchers found a new class of drugs called selective apoptotic anti-neoplastic drugs (SAANDs) that can safely slow tumor growth in men with advanced prostate cancer. The study showed significant results with minimal side effects.
Researchers present promising treatments for renal cell carcinoma using 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence detection, as well as a vaginal mucosal vaccine for recurrent urinary tract infections. Additionally, studies investigate the long-term health-related quality of life impacts of different prostate cancer therapies.
The Montreal Prostate Cancer Model estimates high disease-specific survival rates following prostatectomy, with comparable results to SEER data. The model also forecasts significant economic burdens of prostate cancer in Canada, totaling $9.76 billion over a lifetime.
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center will establish a new prostate cancer center with a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Defense. The center aims to investigate signals promoting and inhibiting cell growth in prostate cancer.
Researchers have identified five genes statistically linked to prostate cancer in about 500 men. The strongest candidate has the hallmarks of a gene that thwarts cell division, potentially playing a major role in causing prostate cancer when it fails to function.
A new review of data from a recent nationwide trial shows the free prostate specific antigen test (fPSA) is as accurate in detecting prostate cancer risk in African American men as it is in Caucasians. The study found that nearly 75% of unnecessary prostate biopsies can be spared for black men.
Researchers aim to recruit at least 100 African-American families with a history of prostate cancer to participate in the PROGRESS study. The study seeks to identify genes linked to inherited prostate cancer, which may help diagnose, treat, and prevent the disease.
The American Urological Association has released new policy guidelines for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, recommending a biopsy to confirm diagnosis when PSA levels are high or abnormal digital rectal examinations are performed. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of individualized decision-making and periodic testin...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that higher PSA levels are associated with faster prostate growth, allowing doctors to predict and potentially slow growth through treatment. This study provides critical information for planning a treatment, emphasizing the importance of annual PSA tests for men over age 50.
A high fibre diet was found to lower PSA levels in men, suggesting a potential link between soluble fibre and reduced prostate cancer risk. The study also supported existing advice to eat more vegetable foods and less animal products in preventing prostate cancer.
A study published in Urology found that men with prostate cancer are more likely to remain continent and potent after surgery performed by highly experienced surgeons. The study's potency and continency rates were the highest ever reported, with up to 93% of patients reporting continency and 65% reporting potency.
A new study found that eating three servings of vegetables daily can cut a man's risk of prostate cancer nearly in half. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage have the strongest effect, decreasing risk by 41% when consumed regularly.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identified eight previously unknown genes associated with prostate cancer. The study's 'guilt-by-association' method used statistical analysis to link genes mimicking PSA activity to the disease.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center are exploring the use of genetic algorithms to treat prostate cancer by improving how radiation is delivered. The formulas have been developed by medical physicist Yan Yu, Ph.D., who heads a task force on the subject for the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
Researchers at UroGenesys identify a novel cell-surface antigen called STEAP, expressed on prostate cancers but rarely in non-prostate tissues. The discovery suggests STEAP may be a promising target for new treatments and diagnostic tools to monitor prostate cancer progression.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center challenge current understanding of prostate cancer treatment by showing that testosterone withdrawal triggers a dormant state in tumor cells, rather than causing widespread cell death. This study offers new hope for developing targeted therapies to combat recurrent prostate cancer.
A large study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found no association between vasectomy and increased prostate cancer risk. Additionally, dietary supplementation with vitamins C and E was linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. Men who took zinc supplements also saw a significant reduction in risk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully used gene therapy to activate the human immune system against metastatic prostate cancer. The study, published in Cancer Research, showed that patients' B-cells produced antibodies and T-cells directly attacked tumor cells after vaccination.
Researchers at UNC-CH will investigate prostate cancer mechanisms, including the role of androgens, to develop a potential cure. The team aims to understand why black men develop prostate cancer twice as often as white men do.