We are looking forward to new tests and treatment procedures for prostate cancer after the generic code variants have been discovered which triple the chances of the development of this disease. DNA of a huge number of men was screened by the scientists for identifying the nine risk areas that were known previously. It was found in the research that at least 2 genes can be targeted for new forms of treatment for the disease.

One is known as the NKX3.1 which helps in controlling how the cells die and may be a key contributor in the development of the cancer. Clinical trials are already going on the drugs that can be helpful for men who have defective NKX3.1 gene. Another gene is known as ITGA6 which is vital for the growth of the cells, their survival and movement. This gene can also be an important target for the drugs to treat prostate cancer. When it becomes over active, it can be related to some prostate cancers.

The most common type of cancer in men is prostate cancer that accounts for one quarter of all the new cases. Four scientific papers on the topic of genetic discoveries from various international teams got published in Nature Genetics, the journal.

Dr Ros Eeles led a group from Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, which examined DNA of 38,000 men and found 7 regions of the genetic code which increased the risks of developing prostate cancer.

The scientists observed the differences in over 43,000 single letter variations in the code known as SNPs or Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms. According to Dr Eeles, their study adds evidence to the notion that the genetic factors influence man’s risk to develop prostate cancer. The results will be helpful in calculating the risks of developing prostate cancer more accurately so that more targeted screening can be carried out. After understanding more about the genes, new treatment procedures can also be developed.

The research has taken the total number of areas of human genome, or genetic code blue print, related to higher risks of prostate cancer to over 20. Other findings of the research are focused upon an area on chromosome eight which is previously also linked with the prostate cancer. Chromosome eight is a package of DNA which houses the genes. Two new SNPs were found in these areas which independently raise the probability of development of the disease.
According to the estimates made by the scientists, 100 men who carry most genetic variants have 20% lifetime risks of developing prostate cancer. Compared to that, the average chances of a man to develop prostate cancer are on 10% in his life.

Professor Doug Easton from Cancer Research UK’s Generic Epidemiology Unit, Cambridge, says that there are greatest numbers of independent genes that affect risks of developing any cancer in prostate cancer but only a little is understood about how the disease is developed. New clue are provided in this study about the involved processes, which can be used to help in development of new treatment procedures in the near future.

Harpal Kumar, the chief of Cancer Research UK said that the research has increases our knowledge about how specific genes may affect a man’s risks to develop prostate cancer. More avenues are likely to be opened up because of the study so that the disease can be diagnosed, prevented and treated in a better way.