PARP inhibitors may be the key to improving the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment, researchers at Surrey University, UK, report today.
The laboratory-based study found that PARP is activated by the anti-hormone therapy used to treat prostate cancer, enabling the disease to withstand treatment.
The researchers have published their findings in Nature Communications.
Researcher Dr Mohammad Asim said: “Prostate cancer is a devastating illness with a high death rate. Our exciting discovery will help remedy this and increase chances of survival for the thousands of men who contract the disease every year.
“Our research shows that anti-hormone treatment could be combined with PARP inhibitor to prevent the progression of the disease.”
Cancer Research UK called for clinical trials of the treatment.
Dr Catherine Pickworth, from the charity, said: “This early stage study adds to the growing evidence that some men with prostate cancer could benefit from being given PARP inhibitors alongside hormone deprivation treatment.
“The next step is to carry out clinical trials to test if this treatment combination is safe to use in patients and if it helps more men survive the disease.”
Nature Communications 5 September 2017
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