Test identifies men who are more likely to develop prostate cancer

Prostate cancer breakthrough: New DNA test identifies men who are SIX TIMES more likely to develop the disease

• Researchers identified 63 new genetic mutations linked to the condition 
• Combined with over 100 variants known to cause the cancer to make the test
• One in 100 men carry sufficient numbers of genetic variations to put them at risk
• Mutations tend to occur in cells that regulate immune-system communication
• This could pave the way for new treatments or preventative ‘spit tests’ 

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A new prostate cancer DNA test identifies the one in 100 men who are six times more at risk of developing the life-threatening disease.

Researchers identified 63 new genetic mutations that are linked to the condition, which they combined with more than 100 DNA variants that were already known to cause the condition, to create the test.

One per cent of men carry many of these risky genetic variations, putting them at a much higher risk of prostate cancer than the average male, a study found today. 

These DNA mutations tend to occur in cells that regulate communication between the immune system and other parts of the body, which could pave the way for new treatments, according to the researchers.

The scientists, from The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, are planning to assess whether investigating the DNA of men’s saliva samples, taken in GP practices, could identify at-risk men.

Such men are currently identified via a blood test that assesses their prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, which rise when the cancer occurs. Yet, results can be skewed by vigorous exercise, urine infections and certain medications.

Prostate cancer affects around 47,000 new men every year in the UK. The disease kills more than 26,000 men annually in the US.  

A new prostate cancer DNA test identifies the one in 100 men who are six times more at risk of developing life-threatening prostate cancer due to multiple genetic mutations (stock)

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Men most at risk are 5.7 times more likely to get prostate cancer 

The researchers analysed the genetic codes of nearly 80,000 men with prostate cancer and more than 61,000 without the disease.

Results suggest each DNA mutation individually has a small effect on men’s prostate-cancer risk, however, the combined effect could be dramatic.  

Those at the highest risk are 5.7 times more likely to develop the disease, while people in the top 10 per cent are 2.7 times more at-risk that the average man.  

The findings were published in the journal Nature Genetics. 

‘A spit test could select men who might benefit from interventions’

Professor Ros Eeles, from the ICR, said: ‘By looking at the DNA code of tens of thousands of men in more depth than ever before, we have uncovered vital new information about the genetic factors that can predispose someone to prostate cancer.

‘And, crucially, we have shown that information from more than 150 genetic variants can now be combined to provide a readout of a man’s inherited risk of prostate cancer.

‘If we can tell from testing DNA how likely it is that a man will develop prostate cancer, the next step is to see if we can use that information to help prevent the disease.

‘We now hope to begin a small study in GP practices to establish whether genetic testing using a simple spit test could select high-risk men who might benefit from interventions to identify the disease earlier or even reduce their risk.’

Researchers identified 63 new genetic mutations that are linked to the condition, which they combined with more than 100 known DNA variants to create the test (stock)

Findings could be used ‘in the design of new treatments’ 

Professor Paul Workman, chief executive of the ICR, added: ‘We have seen dramatic progress in recent years in our understanding of the genetics of prostate cancer, and this new research is another big step forward that tells us more about why some men develop the disease and others don’t.

‘We are on the cusp of moving from theory to practice – from explaining how genetics affects prostate cancer risk, to testing for genetic risk and attempting to prevent the disease.

‘This study also gives us important information about the causes of prostate cancer and the potential role of the immune system, which could ultimately be employed in the design of new treatments.’ 

WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?

How many people does it kill?

Prostate cancer became a bigger killer than breast cancer for the first time, official statistics revealed earlier this year. 

More than 11,800 men a year – or one every 45 minutes – are now killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer.

It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 each year.

Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer – while treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind.

How quickly does it develop? 

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. 

If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘active surveillance’ may be adopted. 

Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.

But if it diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms.

Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction.

Tests and treatment

Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. 

There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate.

Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment.

Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk.

But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not foolproof. 

Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. 

Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org

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