Genetic testing supports prostate cancer treatment

Examination of three aging-related genes, FGFR1, PMP22 and CDKN1A, may help predict whether prostate cancer progresses rapidly or slowly , which is important for many patients to avoid using therapies. Strong treatment when cancer is predicted to progress slowly.

This is the result of a study published in the September 11 issue of Science Translational Medicine in the United States.

Scientists at Columbia University (USA) said that in conjunction with conventional tests, new genetic testing methods could help doctors more accurately diagnose the progress of prostate cancer from it decides to "actively monitor" or need to biopsy or remove this route.

Artwork: AFP

According to the group of scientists, the three genes are particularly affected by cell aging , a process known to play a key role in preventing the growth of tumors and related. to benign lesions of the prostate gland in mice and humans. When these genes appear, prostate cancer tumors have a low level of risk.

Types of prostate cancer that have negative test results for these genes will likely become cancerous forms of growth.

US scientists examined the accuracy of their diagnoses based on biopsy samples of 43 patients who were monitored for at least 10 years.

All these patients were initially diagnosed with prostate cancer with a low level of risk. They found that 14 of these patients had cancerous tumors at development stage and all of these patients were identified by testing the genes mentioned above.