Private MD News

Researchers identify compound that may slow prostate cancer growth

Category: Prostate

A team of European researchers has discovered a compound that appears to be effective at preventing the growth and development of prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in men. When it is diagnosed early, it is relatively easy to treat. However, men often disregard PSA testing recommendations, which are intended to help doctors make an early diagnosis. Consequently, the cancer may spread and become resistant to treatments.

However, the research team has found that monensin - an antibiotic commonly used in the beef and dairy industry to prevent infections and bloat - may be effective at preventing the growth of prostate cancer cells. When combined with androgen suppressing hormone therapy, the medication was shown to be extremely effective, and may even cause DNA damage to cancer cells that results in their death.

"These research findings give rise to a potential new use for the monensin. The results also demonstrate that the effects of anti-androgens in suppressing the growth of cancer cells can be enhanced by using drugs, inducing production of reactive oxygen species," said Kristiina Iljin, the VTT Research Center investigator who led the study.