A recently discovered genetic mutation in prostate cancer tumors is linked to a severe drop in survival rate and can indicate patients in need of intensive treatment, according to a study published in PNAS on May 6.
According to the study, if a mutation in the retinoblastoma gene is found in a prostate cancer patient's tumor, compared to those without the mutation, the patient is more than three times more likely to die and approximately six and a half times more likely to experience a relapse following standard treatment procedures.
The researchers are now studying new ways to treat patients with retinoblastoma gene mutations; with the discovery of the mutation's impact, at-risk patients can now be identified earlier and treated more aggressively.
In their research into which genes are most closely tied to prostate cancer survival and relapse rates, the scientists found that the retinoblastoma gene is the only one that has such a significant effect on fatality, though two other genetic mutations can impact post-treatment relapse rates. Additionally, another mutation was found to indicate a positive response to immunotherapy and, in some cases, could be effectively treated with an existing breast cancer drug.
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