prostate-report.org

Gene fusion may be behind prostate cancer, not androgen receptors

A new study at University of Michigan reveals.the main cause of prostate cancer could be the fusion of two genes and the subsequent abnormal prostate cell growth that results when receptors for the hormone androgen get blocked. Researchers suggest the implication is that standard efforts to treat the disease by targeting the androgen receptors might be missing the real “smoking gun”.

The scientific team concluded that the underlying problem in prostate cancer is the presence of a gene fusion, not the androgen receptor. In many contexts, androgen signaling is actually a good thing, but the presence of the gene fusion blocks androgen receptor signaling, which alters normal prostate cell development.. [ continue ]