Researchers have managed to identify 11 genetic mutations associated with aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
- Scientists analyzed blood samples from around 17,500 prostate cancer patients.
- They thus discovered that mutations in 11 genes are associated with aggressive forms of this disease.
- Their work could enable the development of more targeted treatments and improved screening.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with nearly 59,800 new cases diagnosed in France in 2018. However, there remain many gray areas regarding the development of this disease. A team from Keck School of Medicine of the’U.S.C. and U.S.C. Norris Comprehensive Cancer Centermade an important breakthrough in pointing to specific genetic mutations.
Mutations in the BRCA2 gene also involved in prostate cancer
The researchers combined information from 18 studies and analyzed blood samples from 17,500 patients of European origin with prostate cancer. Among these volunteers, 9,185 presented an aggressive form of the disease. By comparing the frequency of patients’ genetic mutations, scientists managed to identify 11 genes with mutations significantly linked to aggressive prostate cancer.
In this list of implicated genes: we find among others the BRCA2which is also known for its link to breast cancer.
Interestingly, some mutations were also observed in patients who did not have an aggressive prostate malignancy.
Christopher Haimanone of the authors of the study published in the journal JAMA Oncology explain : “this suggests that mutations in these people may put them at greater risk of their cancer becoming more aggressive late“.
Prostate cancer: improved treatment thanks to the discovery of mutations
If further research is needed (especially with patients of other origins)this discovery could facilitate the care of patients with prostate cancer or at risk, according to scientists. It could, in fact, allow the development of individualized and more targeted treatment, but also improve screening.
The expert recognizes in a communicated of its establishment published on September 21, 2023: “the results are not completely definitive, but it is clear that there is still work to be done to determine which genes oncologists should focus on when testing”. However, he adds: “Finding patients with less advanced cancer who carry these genetic variants may allow them to receive targeted forms of treatment sooner.”
