During this in depth study, an international team of researchers led by British scientists investigated the impact of anti-hormone therapy on samples taken from patients with prostate cancer. Anti-hormone therapy is a commonly prescribed treatment for cancer of the prostate, which helps to reduce the levels of male hormones – that stimulate cancer cells to grow – in the gland.

Researchers discovered that an inadvertent consequence of anti-hormone therapy treatment is the activation of the DNA repair enzyme, PARP. The triggering of PARP enables cancer cells to withstand anti-hormone therapy treatment, causing cells to cultivate and develop into a more aggressive form.

To be effective and reduce recurrence of cancer in the prostate, researchers found that prescribing PARP inhibitors, a drug commonly used in breast cancer, alongside anti-hormone therapy treatment may benefit men with prostate cancer. PARP inhibitors prevent DNA repair causing cancer cells to die rather than repair.

Lead author Dr Mohammad Asim from the University of Surrey, said: “Our research shows that anti-hormone treatment could be combined with PARP inhibitor to prevent the progression of the disease.”

Dr Catherine Pickworth from Cancer Research UK, said: “This early stage study adds to the growing evidence that some men with prostate cancer could benefit from being given PARP inhibitors alongside hormone deprivation treatment.

“The next step is to carry out clinical trials to test if this treatment combination is safe to use in patients and if it helps more men survive the disease.”