A major discovery of a cause of prostate cancer could pave the way for new treatments, scientists claim. They have found that male hormones play a key role in promoting a specific genetic change that fuels the growth of tumours.
Identifying the genes that are regulated by these hormones is a major step forward in finding new therapies for the disease, which kills one man every hour in the UK.
The study focused on male sex hormones called androgens and their influence on fusing together genes.
These mutant genes, which have been found in several cancers, form when DNA from different parts of the genetic region of cells merge.
Exposure to androgens can cause genes that are normally far apart to fuse together.
In the latest study, a team led by experts at the Institute of Cancer at Queen Mary University of London, found that androgens promote the fusion of two specific genes which fuel the growth of cancer. They are the genes TMPRSS2 and ERG.
Dr Yong-Jie Lu, the lead researcher from the Institute of Cancer, said: “This is a significant discovery and a major breakthrough into the future prevention of the disease.
“It could also lead to new treatments.
“If we can learn how to control and manage androgen levels, there is a strong possibility that we may be able to help thousands of men, especially those known to be at high risk from a family history of prostate cancer, from developing the condition altogether.”
Rebecca Porta, chief executive of Orchid, said: “Every year over 35,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the UK.
“Now, more than ever before, we need to improve our understanding of this disease and to identify new ways to treat and manage it. The work of Dr Yong-Jie Lu is an important step in this direction.
“We are very pleased to be supporting his research programme.”
The work, published in the journal Cancer Research, was funded by the male cancer charity Orchid and the Medical Research Council.
Every year 36,000 men in Britain are diagnosed with prostate cancer, while 10,000 die.
It is the most common cancer among men in the country.
Richard Alleyne
Telegraph UK