Genetic study could offer hope to millions of prostate cancer sufferers

A landmark genetic study described as the “Rosetta stone” of prostate cancer has opened up a new era of hope for men with advanced forms of the disease. The findings could lead to a plethora of personalised medicines that target specific gene defects, some of which are already in use or undergoing trials. It sets the stage for a whole new world of treatment options for patients with “metastatic” cancer spreading to their bones and vital organs who no longer respond to existing therapies. British and U.S. scientists who drew up the first comprehensive map of genetic mutations linked to different strains of deadly prostate cancer found that almost 90% of the men whose DNA they studied carried potentially treatable defects.

Our study shines new light on the genetic complexity of prostate cancer as it develops and spreads, revealing it to be not a single disease, but many diseases each driven by their own set of mutations.

Professor Johann de Bono, from the Institute of Cancer Research in London

They also learned that 8% of the men were born with genetic faults that predisposed them to prostate cancer, strengthening the case for screening people with a family history of the disease. Professor Johann de Bono, from the Institute of Cancer Research in London, who led the British team, said: “This map will guide our future treatment and trials for this group of different lethal diseases. We’re describing this study as prostate cancer’s Rosetta stone - because of the ability it gives us to decode the complexity of the disease, and to translate the results into personalised treatment plans for patients.”

It suggests for the first time the list of genetic mutations to search for in order to build up a blueprint of a man’s prostate cancer once it has spread.

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Prostate Cancer UK

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