Scientists are using the best gene-sequencing technologies to reveal the genetic changes driving prostate cancer. When prostate cancer spreads it creates tumors along the way and the scientists are looking at the genes of each one and are forming a "family tree" of the prostate cancer. "We gained a much broader view of prostate cancer by studying both the original cancer and the cells that had spread to other parts of the body in these men," says study author Prof. Ros Eeles from the Institute of Cancer Reseach in London, UK. "And we found that all of the cells that had broken free shared a common ancestor cell in the prostate."
"The common faults we found in each man could potentially offer new targets for treatment," states Prof. Eeles. "But we found that, once cancer cells have spread, they continue to evolve genetically, so choosing the most effective treatments will remain a key challenge."
I think this is interesting because we are finding out so many new things about cancer and yet the cure hasn't been found yet or it keeps slipping away. It is a very difficult task, but I believe we can find the answer.
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With cancers like prostate cancer that are so prevalent, finding a cure is a huge but very needed task. With cancer cells continuing to evolve I see how difficult finding a cure must be, but continued research like what is shown here brings us closer to an answer.
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