In a new study, researchers found a specific gene in prostate tumors responsible for the spread of prostate cancer.
The gene indicates when patients are at high risk for cancer to spread.
The finding may help target the gene and make patients live longer.
The research was conducted by a team from Rutgers University.
Previous studies have shown that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
In the current study, the team developed a computer algorithm to determine which cancer genes that spread in mice were most relevant to humans.
They identified the NSD2 gene. They then turned off the gene in the cancer cells and effectively reduce the spread of cancer.
The findings suggest that their findings could benefit people with prostate cancer.
If doctors can determine whether a patient’s cancer is likely to spread at the time of diagnosis, they can start them on a targeted treatment plan as soon as possible to decrease the spread.
Currently, the team is focusing on developing a drug to target NSD2.
They also encourage doctors to begin using NSD2 screening so they can start high-risk patients on anti-metastatic treatment as soon as possible.
In addition, the researchers suggest the computer algorithm they developed could be used in the research of other cancers.
The lead author of the study is Antonina Mitrofanova, an assistant professor at Rutgers School of Health Professions and a research member of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
The study is published in Nature Communications.
Copyright © 2019 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
Further reading: Nature Communications.
