Scientists have identified a protein that halts growth of prostate cancer cells and even drives them to commit ’suicide’.
A drug that boosts levels of the protein, called FUS, could stop the disease from spreading, saving many of the thousands of lives claimed by the disease every year.
The breakthrough at Imperial College London, could also help doctors more accurately distinguish the more common, slower-growing forms of prostate cancer from the more aggressive, faster-growing types, the Daily Mail reports.
These researchers have shown that FUS, which occurs naturally in cells, can stem the growth of prostate tumour cells in a dish and trigger a series of reactions that leads to their death, according to an Imperial College statement.
Charlotte Bevan, senior study author, said: “These findings suggest that FUS might be able to suppress tumour growth and stop it from spreading to other parts of the body where it can be deadly.”
“It’s early stages yet, but if further studies confirm these findings, then FUS might be a promising target for future therapies.”
Doctors currently use a variety of techniques, including blood tests, biopsies, microscopy and scans, to determine risk and treatment levels.
But the results are not wholly reliable – meaning that many men are subjected to unnecessary surgery and radiotherapy, both of which carry a high risk of incontinence and impotence.