Private MD News

Possible new therapy for prostate cancer discovered

Updated: 2009-06-26 20:28:39 CST Category: Prostate

by Laurent Castellucci

A new study by researchers from Switzerland shows that an alpha-particle emitting radiopeptide - radioactive material bound to a synthetic peptide - is effective for treating prostate cancer in mice.

The results, presented at annual scientific meeting of the Society for Nuclear Medicine, could eventually result in a significant breakthrough in prostate cancer treatment, especially for patients whose cancer recurs after the prostate is removed.

"Our study shows that this novel form of treatment has the potential to target and destroy cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue," said Damian Wild, lead author of the study. "Eventually, this therapy could give hope to some of the hardest-to-treat prostate cancer patients and also could be applied to other types of cancer."

The researchers found that using this new approach with a highly-specific radiopeptide resulted in triple the survival rate in mice, making this a promising avenue for further research.

Every year, more than 186,000 men in the U.S. are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends offering prostate cancer tests such as the PSA test to men over 50.

Related Articles from Private MD:

• American Urological Association recommends PSA tests at age 40
  
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• Statin may mask risk in cancer patients
  
• New prostate cancer vaccine may increase survival rate
  

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