Breakthrough discovery shows big cause of prostate cancer spread

Scientists at MedUni Vienna, led by Lukas Kenner, have made a groundbreaking discovery that could change how we understand and treat prostate cancer. Their research, published in the journal Molecular Cancer, reveals how changes in a specific protein called KMT2C play a key role in the progression of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and in many cases, it remains confined to the prostate, allowing for effective treatment and high survival rates.

However, about 20% of cases progress to metastatic prostate cancer, which spreads beyond the prostate and is often incurable. Until now, it wasn’t clear why some cancers become metastatic while others do not.

The research team focused on KMT2C, a protein that plays an important role in regulating cell functions. This protein helps maintain normal cell behavior by keeping specific genes under control.

However, the study found that mutations in KMT2C, commonly associated with cancer, disrupt this regulatory role. When KMT2C loses its function, it triggers the activation of a cancer-promoting gene called MYC.

MYC is known to drive rapid cell division, which fuels both the growth and spread of cancer. This discovery provides critical insight into how prostate cancer transitions from a localized disease to a more aggressive and life-threatening form.

One of the most exciting outcomes of this research is its potential for improving early diagnosis. The team suggests that a simple blood test could be developed to detect mutations in the KMT2C gene. This test could help identify patients who are more likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer, allowing for earlier and more targeted intervention.

In addition to early diagnosis, the findings offer hope for new treatments. MYC inhibitors, a new class of cancer drugs currently being tested in clinical trials, could be effective against metastatic prostate cancer.

If these findings are confirmed in further studies, MYC inhibitors might become a powerful tool for treating advanced stages of the disease.

This research represents a major step forward in understanding prostate cancer and provides new opportunities for both diagnosis and treatment. By uncovering the role of KMT2C mutations in driving aggressive cancer, the study paves the way for personalized approaches to managing the disease.

These insights could revolutionize how doctors detect and treat prostate cancer, potentially improving outcomes for patients at risk of developing the metastatic form.

As researchers continue to explore these findings, the hope is that more effective tools will soon be available to combat advanced prostate cancer, offering new hope to patients and their families.

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