Precision medicine
Precision medicine gives patients the best treatments according to the genetic profile of their cancer. One recent example of this is the drug olaparib, currently used to treat ovarian cancer, thanks to our scientists who played a major role in developing olaparib.
But further trials led by Professor Johann de Bono have shown that olaparib could also work in prostate cancer, for men whose tumours have mutations in specific genes.
Clinical trials
Professor Johann de Bono and Professor Nick James are leading clinical trials of new prostate cancer treatments.
Our researchers, in partnership with The Royal Marsden, have also worked on trials of enzalutamide (Xtandi) and radium-223 (Xofigo), as well as in ongoing trials of experimental prostate cancer drugs.
Genetic testing
Professor Ros Eeles analyses the DNA of men with and without prostate cancer to try to find genetic clues about the disease. Her team has found around 100 genetic factors that influence a man’s chance of developing prostate cancer, or developing a more aggressive form.
These differences in DNA give researchers clues about the disease’s biology that could lead to new treatments, as well as helping identify who has a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer.
Radiotherapy
We are a pioneer in developing new forms of radiotherapy for prostate cancer treatment. An example of our success in radiotherapy research is the CHHiP trial, which showed that fewer, larger doses of radiotherapy were just as effective as the standard regime.
This led to changes in clinical guidance, which are now sparing patients the inconvenience of unnecessary hospital appointments and reducing the rate of side-effects.
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