prostate-report.org

Genetic test that can distinguish between aggressive prostate cancers slow-growing tumors

Harvard researchers showed in a model that when you take a gene out, you get metastasis and when you put it back in you don’t get metastasis. Based on this conclusion, they report what they say is a major advance toward the long-sought goal of a genetic test that can distinguish between aggressive prostate cancers that require urgent treatment and slow-growing tumors that can safely be left alone.

Researchers suggest this new finding will change the approach of prostate cancer treatment. Today, prostate cancers treated with radiation or chemotherapy will grow so slowly that they are not dangerous. New finding could lead to better treatment of prostate cancer, because the molecule whose production is governed by the gene can be a target of drug therapy.