Commonly used prostate cancer treatment rewires engine of prostate tumors: Research
Written By : Isra Zaman
Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli
Published On 2022-09-16 03:45 GMT | Update On 2022-09-16 03:45 GMT
Advertisement
Drugs like enzalutamide that inhibit male hormones from activating the androgen receptor have been used to treat advanced prostate cancer for more than a decade. A new study from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center suggests androgen receptor inhibitors can fundamentally rewire and reshape how prostate tumors function, and in certain cases even make them more aggressive. These findings have been published in Nature Communications.
Male hormones function as fuel, turning on the androgen receptor that acts as the engine of prostate cancer cells. The researchers wanted to understand what was present in these tumors, to begin with and what happened after tumors started to grow on enzalutamide treatment. They recruited patients to a longitudinal study to obtain metastatic biopsies before enzalutamide treatment and at the time the tumor became resistant to treatment. His team collected serial biopsies from 21 patients, enabling them to understand the workarounds in the tumor from each patient.
When they compared the baseline sample to the progression sample from the same patient, most tumors showed no significant gene expression changes.In three of the 21 cases, the team saw a profound shift in the wiring—or gene expression program—of the tumors.
But they found that in 15 percent of cases, the tumors also became fuel-independent for another reason.Also three tumors converted to become double negative prostate cancer—akin to an electric vehicle.Although the baseline tumors appeared similar under the microscope, the research team identified specific genes that were highly expressed in those that eventually became double negative prostate cancer.
This result suggests that certain tumors exist in a hybrid state, initially dependent on fuel but at risk for becoming a fuel-independent double negative prostate cancer during enzalutamide treatment.
Reference:
Joshi Alumkal et al,Transcriptional profiling of matched patient biopsies clarifies molecular determinants of enzalutamide-induced lineage plasticity,Nature Communications,DOI 10.1038/s41467-022-32701-6
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.