New research has uncovered insights into the mechanisms that underlie prostate cancer, providing potential targets for new cancer therapies.

Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK, and researchers from Cardiff University have identified a genetic alteration that is linked to poor prognosis for patients with the disease.

Advanced prostate cancer patients initially respond well to hormonal therapies but nearly all will eventually develop an aggressive form of the disease called castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Previously, genetic mutations in a tumor suppression gene, PTEN, have been shown to activate the cell signaling pathway, PI3K, which gives prostate cancer cells their ability to grow uncontrollably.

The new research has uncovered the role of another genetic mutation in prostate cancer, which influences the aggressive nature of the disease.

Dr. Helen Pearson, of Cardiff University’s European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, said: “We’ve identified a new genetic mutation that may drive the growth of prostate cancer cells. In our research, we found that when prostate cells were given a mutation in the PIK3CA gene, they rapidly formed tumors that developed resistance to hormone therapy.”

“We also found that both PTEN and PIK3CA genetic alterations are present in prostate cancer, and that they can work together via potentially independent mechanisms to accelerate the development of the tumor, as well as causing the cancer to become resistant to hormone therapy.”

“Survival of patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer is poor, so it is vital to develop novel and targeted treatments for this aggressive disease.”

Professor Wayne Phillips, from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia, added: “This research gives a new insight into the development of prostate cancer and provides a foundation for new targeted therapeutic approaches to tackle this disease.”

The research is published in Cancer Discovery.