Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and the second leading cause of death in American men. However, today it has been announced that a genetic “signature pattern” has been identified, meaning that advanced tests and treatments to identify and suppress this killer may commence immediately.

Metamark Genetics Inc. scientist Ronald DePinho, M.D, and one its founders states:

“Human prostate cancers are extremely complex at the cellular and genomic levels, making it difficult to identify molecular markers that are predictive of lethal forms of cancer. In order to tackle this complexity, we intersected human data with data derived from refined mouse models of prostate cancer with metastatic versus non-metastatic potential. These cross-species comparisons, refined further with functional analyses, enabled us to identify a novel panel of molecular markers with robust potential to separate men into low and high risk for death from prostate cancer.”

Metamark is therefore developing a groundbreaking test for prostate cancer prognosis. Metamark scientists are also developing precise, molecularly-based prognostic tests for additional cancer types that will help guide physicians in determining the most appropriate treatment for each patient, potentially including the identification of those that can be spared from unnecessary aggressive treatment and procedures.

Peter Blume-Jensen, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Metamark adds:

“Clinicians are currently unable to correctly distinguish between patients with aggressive versus indolent forms of disease based on clinical and pathologic parameters. Consequently, a significant number of patients receive more aggressive treatment than they need and suffer from the associated side effects, such as infertility, incontinence and pain. The study published in Nature represents a landmark breakthrough in our understanding of proteins that are critical for aggressive forms of human prostate cancer. We believe that the findings will have important implications for our ability to improve the prognosis and treatment of prostate cancer patients. Ultimately, our goal is to advance the standard of care by providing an evidence-based approach to management of cancer patients.”

More than 217,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year in the United States alone. Although the vast majority of cases remain localized and indolent, some early-stage prostate cancers appear to be hardwired for aggressive behavior and, if left untreated, will spread beyond the prostate and ultimately become lethal.

Prostate cancer patients who routinely engage in modest amounts of vigorous physical exercise appear to lower their risk of dying from their disease, new research suggests. Three hours a week or more of vigorous biking, tennis, jogging or swimming seems to improve the prognosis among such patients.

Stacey Kenfield, a research associate in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, as well as at the Channing Laboratory at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both in Boston comments:

“We observed benefits at very attainable levels of activity, and our results suggest that men with prostate cancer should do some physical activity for their overall health, even if it is a small amount, such as 15 minutes of activity per day of walking, jogging or biking. Vigorous activity may be especially beneficial for prostate cancer, as well as overall health, at levels of three or more hours per week.”

Source: Metamark Genetics

Written By Sy Kraft, B.A.