Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London have made a groundbreaking discovery that could transform prostate cancer treatment.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study identifies a new drug target linked to an aggressive form of the disease, opening the door to more personalized and effective treatment strategies.
Doctors have identified the BCL2 protein in advanced prostate cancer, which they believe could serve as a new treatment target. A team discovered that patients with higher levels of BCL2 experience significantly worse outcomes than those without, prompting experts to explore improved treatment options for men whose cancer no longer responds to hormone therapy.
Screening men for BCL2 could allow for the development of personalized treatment plans, while researchers and clinicians could focus on finding or creating drugs that specifically target this protein.
A clinical trial for prostate cancer is already underway, testing the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, a drug approved for certain types of leukaemia, in combination with the hormone therapy enzalutamide. Researchers estimate that about 10 per cent of prostate cancer patients have high levels of this protein, which normally plays a crucial role in preventing cell death.
“We urgently need new treatments to help improve the quality and quantity of life for patients living with advanced prostate cancer,” said Dr Adam Sharp, the leader of the translational therapeutics group at the ICR.
“Our results have shown that there’s a large disparity in outcomes for people whose cancers have high levels of the BCL2 protein, and that their cancers respond less well to hormone therapies than others.
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New capability could lead to earlier interventions
This discovery may shift prostate cancer care toward more personalized medicine. By screening for the protein, doctors could predict which patients are more likely to face aggressive disease progression. This capability could lead to earlier, more intensive interventions in high-risk cases, potentially improving survival rates and enhancing quality of life.
The ICR’s research adds to global efforts to fight prostate cancer through genetics, targeted radiation treatments, and cutting-edge diagnostics. In related research, scientists have combined AI and evolutionary biology to predict cancer recurrence, showing a multidisciplinary approach to addressing this disease.
The next steps involve validating these findings in larger patient populations and developing drugs that target this newly identified protein. If successful, this research could set a new standard for treating other cancers, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine based on molecular markers.
Johann de Bono, professor of experimental cancer medicine at the ICR, explained that BCL2 is a protein that helps cells survive, and their research has shown that higher levels of this protein lead to significantly worse outcomes for patients.
He noted that if targeting BCL2 is successful in clinical trials, patients with advanced prostate cancer could benefit from more personalized treatments. Additionally, their findings suggest that combining therapies could be an even more effective approach than targeting BCL2 alone, and this strategy should be further investigated.
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Multiple companies take aim at cancer
Several leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are deeply involved in cancer research, working to develop advanced treatments.
Swiss multinational healthcare company, Roche, is a key player, investing heavily in oncology research. Through its subsidiary, Genentech, Roche has developed groundbreaking therapies such as Herceptin for breast cancer and Tecentriq for lung cancer. The company is also advancing research into personalized medicine, using genetic profiling to better target cancer treatments based on individual patient profiles.
In addition to traditional pharmaceutical giants, innovative companies like Breath Diagnostics are making significant strides with cutting-edge technology. Their One Breath diagnostic tool aims to detect cancer through breath analysis, offering a non-invasive way to screen for the disease. By identifying cancer-specific biomarkers in a single breath sample, this technology could revolutionize early detection methods, especially for lung and gastrointestinal cancers.
Furthermore, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is also advancing research with therapies like CAR-T cell therapy, which uses genetically modified immune cells to target cancer more effectively. Meanwhile, Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) focuses on immuno-oncology, developing drugs like Opdivo and Yervoy, which harness the immune system to fight cancer.
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joseph@mugglehead.com
