It has been studied that prostate cancer patients carrying the BRCA gene respond less to conventional treatments, which include surgery and radiotherapy. They also show to have a lower survival rate then non-carriers of the gene. This study originated from another study done in 2013 where they found that prostate cancer patients with the BRCA gene had more aggressive tumors and died earlier then non-carriers. It was after this study that they decided to do a more in depth study of the treatments given to them. This study included 1,300 people and 67 of them had the gene mutation. Those that received radiotherapy only had a 39% 10 year survival rate compared to 80% of non-carriers. Those that underwent surgery had a 67% 10 year survival rate compared to a 91% of non-carriers (view table above).
"BRCA genes produce proteins that block tumor development, thereby guaranteeing the stability of the genetic material in cells; when the DNA gets damaged by environmental, hereditary or other factors, BRCA proteins come into play to fix it and therefore guarantee the survival of the cells. Specific mutations in these genes prevent damaged cells from repairing the DNA efficiently and have been associated with various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian and prostate cancer (medical news today)."
They are starting to use PARP inhibitors, which are tools that are specific for targeting the destruction of tumor cells with the mutation. These treatments are shown to be effective in breast and ovarian cancer patients, and are hoping it becomes as effective in patients with prostate cancer. This study has shown that they need to have more clinical trials that are designed for specific treatments for these patients with this mutation. Unfortunately, they do not know enough about the treatments, but I think with more research they will be able to find a treatment that will help patients with the BRCA gene mutation. It's hard enough when someone is diagnosed with cancer, but it must be even harder hearing you have this gene mutation which effects your cancer with a more aggressive approach.
Original article:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/285527.php
Related article:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150086.php
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