Saturday 15 June 2002
A new study published today in the scientific journal Cancer Research has provided evidence that differences in the genetic make-up of men's immune systems can have a direct bearing on their chances of developing prostate cancer.
Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, funded by Cancer Research UK and the Prostate Cancer Charitable Trust have conducted the work in collaboration with colleagues at Southampton University Hospitals.
The findings have shown that small changes to the genes that play an important role in the immune system and the formation of new blood vessels may cause individuals to be more susceptible to prostate cancer. They may also influence how the disease progresses.
It is hoped that further research in this area will identify those at risk and lead to the development of new drugs to combat the disease.
Currently prostate cancer is killing one man every hour in the UK and it is thought to become the most common cancer in men by 2006.
Dr Ros Eeles, expert on male cancers at The Institute of Cancer Research said: "These are very important results because they imply that the genetic make up of a person's immune system is involved in prostate cancer development.
"Prostate cancer is a complex disease so this is a very exciting advance although we still have a long way to go before we can fully understand this type of cancer."
The study analysed genes that produce proteins called cytokines which play a significant role in the development of blood vessels and the body's immune response. Researchers looked at the behaviour of these genes in over 200 prostate cancer patients and compared them with a healthy control group.
This is the first time these genes have been investigated for their impact on prostate cancer tumour growth.
The scientists analysed the DNA in five of these cytokine genes in each patient. They found statistically significant differences in frequencies in 3 out of the 5 cytokines when comparing the prostate cancer patients and the control group. People who had certain genetic changes were thought to produce either higher or lower than normal levels of the cytokine proteins, and this was linked to protection against, or susceptibility to, prostate cancer.
For example, having a particular genetic sequence that produces lower levels of one of the cytokines (VEGF) seemed to give protection against prostate cancer in the people studied. The VEGF protein is important in helping the body (and in helping tumours) grow new blood vessels. So having naturally lower levels of VEGF makes it more difficult for tumours to grow.
In addition they also observed a correlation between changes to one of the cytokines and the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) level in patients, which is currently used to determine prognosis of the disease.
Dr Martin Howell, the consultant from Southampton University, funded by the NHS Executive South East, was one of the lead investigators. He commented on the findings: "These results suggest that genetic variation in cytokine genes may be important in the development of prostate cancer. The significance of these preliminary results is reinforced by our earlier, broadly similar findings in malignant melanoma skin cancer.
"We believe that an understanding of how these and other genetic factors act alone and in combination may give a clearer idea of how and why certain men are likely to develop prostate cancer and how seriously the disease might develop."
Professor Gordon McVie, from Cancer Research UK who funded the research said, "This study advances our knowledge of prostate cancer and how it develops, it may also provide insights into how best to develop better-targeted, more effective treatments. There is a pressing need for such advances, particularly as men are living longer and prostate cancer is becoming increasingly common. We need to learn more about the disease if we are to make progress against it - this is a good step in the right direction. "
This study has taken 8 years and Cancer Research UK and The Prostate Cancer Charitable Trust are continuing to fund further research into prostate cancer.
- ends -
For further information on this study, contact David Meechan at The Institute of Cancer Research on 020 7970 6056.
For out of office hours queries contact Alison Morgan on 07788 427856
- Notes to editors
- The Institute of Cancer Research is a centre of excellence with some of the world's leading scientists working on cutting edge research. It works in a unique partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital, which enables scientific discoveries to be translated quickly into patient care.
- The Institute was made a Centre of Excellence for prostate cancer research by the National Cancer Research Institute. It is one of two prostate cancer collaboratives funded by Cancer Research UK, the MRC and Department Of Health.
- Cancer Research UK is the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world, spending an annual £176 million on scientific research into the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer. The combined expertise of over 3,000 of the UK's top scientists, doctors and nurses places us at the forefront of cancer science and new treatment discovery. We support research throughout the UK in universities, hospitals and institutes and in our own research centres. We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations to fund this work.
- The Prostate Cancer Charitable Trust was founded in 1991 by Clive Bourne, himself a prostate cancer sufferer, when he realised that, at that time, there was virtually no organised research on either a national or international level into the disease. To remedy this obvious gap, he formed the Prostate Cancer Charitable Trust with the aim of promoting research, particularly by linking together scientist and clinicians in all relevant fields throughout the world at biennial forums, the next being held in Oxford this month. The Trust maintains an extremely low administration cost base, firmly believing that every possible penny that it receives should be invested directly in its objectives. Contact Clive Bourne on 07770 966650
Please note:
Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.