Prostate cancer blood test could transform treatment, say scientists quoting : The Guardian

Scientists have developed a simple three-in-one blood test they believe could transform treatment of advanced prostate cancer, helping to extend or save lives. The ICR chief executive, Prof Paul Workman, said the test could "usher in a new era of precision medicine for prostate cancer". The researchers collected blood samples from 49 men at the Royal Marsden with advanced prostate cancer enrolled in the phase II clinical trial of olaparib. Thirdly, they used the test to monitor a patient's blood throughout treatment to quickly pick up signs that the cancer was evolving genetically and might be becoming resistant to the drugs. Some patients respond to olaparib for years but in others the treatment can fail early or the cancer can evolve resistance.




REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/File PhotoLONDON Scientists have developed a new three-in-one blood test that has the potential to turn AstraZeneca's drug Lynparza into a precision medicine for prostate cancer. In addition, the test can quickly detect if prostate cancer is evolving genetically and might be becoming drug-resistant. It now faces competition from rival products made by Tesaro and Clovis Oncology that are also approved for ovarian cancer. They hope this will allow Lynparza to become a standard weapon for advanced prostate cancer that would be targeted selectively at the men most likely to benefit. Lynparza, which is already approved for ovarian and recently produced good results in breast cancer, is currently in clinical development against prostate tumors.

Prostate cancer blood test 'helps target treatment'

Dr Aine McCarthy, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said the blood test was an "exciting" development. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Image copyright Science Photo Library Image caption Blood tests could help target precision drugs at the right people with cancerScientists have developed a blood test that could pick out which men with advanced prostate cancer would benefit from a new drug treatment. The test detects cancer DNA in the blood, helping doctors check whether precision drugs are working. "Further studies involving a larger group of men will confirm if doctors should use this test when treating patients with advanced prostate cancer."


collected by :Lucy William

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