Genetic discovery sparks hope of cure

LONDON — Thousands of men suffering from advanced prostate cancer have been offered new hope of a cure after scientists discovered the genetic cause behind 90 per cent of tumours.

Nine out of 10 cases of late stage prostate cancer now can be linked to changes in the DNA of sufferers.

In some cases, there are already drugs which can tackle those genetic defects which are being used for other cancers.

Scientists said the breakthrough was like uncovering the Rosetta Stone for prostate cancer, in reference to the stone tablet that helped Egyptologists break the code of hieroglyphics.

The study was led in the U.K. by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, in collaboration with researchers from eight academic clinical trials centres around the world.

Researchers say doctors could now start testing for the mutations and give patients with advanced prostate cancer existing drugs or drug combinations which are known to target the specific genomic aberrations.

“Our study shines new light on the genetic complexity of prostate cancer as it develops and spreads, revealing it to be not a single disease, but many diseases each driven by their own set of mutations,” said Johann de Bono, Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.

“We’re describing this study as prostate cancer’s Rosetta Stone — because of the ability it gives us to decode the complexity of the disease, and to translate the results into personalized treatment plans for patients.

“What’s hugely encouraging is that many of the key mutations we have identified are ones targeted by existing cancer drugs — meaning that we could be entering a new era of personalized cancer treatment.”

Doctors in the U.K. and hospitals in the U.S. studied the genetic makeup of 150 tumours from patients with advanced prostate cancer who have a slim chance of survival.

“These findings could make a real difference to large numbers of patients,” Prof. Paul Workman, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said.