New Gene Mutations Identified that Promote Prostate Cancer

the Cancer Therapy Advisor take:

According to a new global study published in the journal Nature Genetics, researchers have identified 23 genes that are associated with an increased risk for developing prostate cancer. In the study, researchers analyzed over 10 million genetic biomarkers in 80,000 men with prostate cancer. They found 23 genes linked with prostate cancer in addition to the 76 previously identified.

In addition, the researchers found that these genetic mutations are associated with 33% of the heritable risk of prostate cancer. They also observed a 5.7-fold increased risk for developing prostate cancer in the top 1% of men with these genetic mutations compared with those from the average population.

Of the 23 gene mutations identified, some were specific to African populations, which commonly develop the aggressive form of prostate cancer. Furthermore, 15 of the 23 new genes identified were in men with European ancestry while 7 were observed in multi-ethnic populations.

Researchers say they did not identify any genes associated with the aggressive form of prostate cancer, but hope to locate them in the next sample of 100,000 men with prostate cancer. The researchers want to better understand how these genetic mutations work together to increase the risk for developing cancer.