A study published in the British Journal of Cancer has revealed that Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered a molecular 'flag' that predicts survival from prostate cancer at diagnosis.
The research, led by pathologists based at the University of Liverpool, measured the levels of heat-shock protein-27 (Hsp-27) in prostate tissue samples taken from 553 men at the time they were diagnosed with prostate cancer.
During a 15-year follow-up, the research showed that those men who tested positive for Hsp-27 at diagnosis were almost twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than men who did not have the protein.
These findings suggest that Hsp-27 could be used as a potential test to distinguish men with the aggressive forms of the cancer that need immediate treatment, from men with slow-growing forms of prostate cancer with which they can live with for many years.
At the moment, there are no reliable tests to make this distinction.
Prof Chris Foster from the University of Liverpool's School of Cancer Studies, said: 'We have identified a link between the presence of Hsp-27 at diagnosis and a lower survival rate for prostate cancer.
'Our study shows that this protein marker, currently found in tissue samples, can give us a reliable and accurate indication of whether individual cancers will become aggressive.
'Currently, we are working on developing this finding into a blood test to monitor men with prostate cancer in order to determine when their individual disease needs treatment.' Hsp-27 is a key component of signalling pathways that control the movement of cells around the body.
The study also suggests that drugs could be developed to block these signals and halt the spread of prostate cancer cells.
Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: 'A marker molecule that identifies aggressive prostate cancer would help us target active treatment to patients who need it, avoiding unnecessary therapy.
She added: 'The next stage would be to test this protein in large clinical trials to decide how useful it could be for diagnosis or treatment.'
