Gene Testing Young Prostate Cancer Patients Could Help Target Treatment
12 October 2011 – Carrying a BRCA2 gene mutation gives men an approximate eight-fold increased risk of developing prostate cancer by the age of 65.
In a study led by the ICR, researchers analysed the entire genetic code of the BRCA2 gene in blood samples of almost 2,000 men with prostate cancer. They showed that over one per cent of the prostate cancer patients in the study had a faulty BRCA2 gene, and all carriers of this gene had developed the cancer before the age of 65.
Given the high prevalence of BRCA2 mutations in early onset patients, the scientists suggested that under-65s with prostate cancer could be routinely tested for this gene fault to help guide their management.
A new class of drug called PARP inhibitors are already showing considerable promise in patient trials for cancer linked to BRCA mutations. Patients identified as carrying this faulty gene could be prioritised for clinical trials.
Study author Professor Ros Eeles said: “Our study shows that men diagnosed with prostate cancer at a young age have a higher chance of carrying a faulty BRCA2 gene. With the arrival of PARP inhibiting drugs to target tumours with BRCA mutations, there may be benefits from routinely testing prostate cancer patients diagnosed before 65 for this gene fault.”
