The latest study in prostate cancer research has revealed promising findings that could revolutionize the way high-risk prostate cancer patients are identified. The study, led by Prof David Wedge of Manchester Cancer Research Centre, has discovered that the most common type of prostate cancer has two distinct ways of developing in the body, potentially opening up new avenues for targeted treatment.
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in men, with one in eight being diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime. The majority of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, a type of cancer that forms in the glandular tissue lining certain internal organs. While the disease can be fatal, many patients face a low risk.
Prof Wedge emphasized the challenge in prostate cancer lies in identifying the 15% of men with more aggressive cancers that are likely to spread to other organs and cause death. By being able to pinpoint these individuals, more robust treatment can be administered, sparing the remaining 85% of men from unnecessary interventions and potential side effects.
The study, published in the journal Cell Genomics, involved the sequencing of the genomes of 159 patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The researchers utilized three different approaches, including artificial intelligence, to analyze patterns within the genomes, such as the way DNA was damaged and the order of genetic alterations.
The findings revealed that the prostate cancers could be classified into two main groupings, or ‘evotypes’, based on how they evolved in the body over time and the mechanisms involved. Importantly, patients with one evotype were found to be twice as likely to show signs of disease recurrence compared to those with the other evotype, as indicated by blood tests taken after treatment.
This groundbreaking research could potentially lead to a significant shift in the way high-risk prostate cancer patients are identified and treated, offering hope for more targeted and effective interventions. The implications of this study could have a profound impact on prostate cancer management, potentially improving outcomes for a substantial number of patients.
