The Urology Foundation has been funding an ongoing study at UCL into the relationship between certain genes and Prostate Cancer development and progression, with thanks to generous donations to the John Black Charitable Foundation:
Researchers at University College London today published results that show a DNA duplication in up to 30% of patients with more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
The large DNA duplication covers involves two genes known to be involved in cancer development called NAALADL2 and TBL1XR1.
The group showed that patients with duplications in these genes were more likely to have larger, higher grade cancers and were more than twice as likely to have prostate cancer that has spread outside of the prostate.
Lead researcher Ben Simpson said ‘This exciting finding opens up the possibility that patients could be tested for this DNA duplication when they are diagnosed. This would allow them to choose the most appropriate treatment at the earliest opportunity.’