New research into the genetics of prostate cancer may give hope to later-stage cancer sufferers, according to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Researchers at Indiana’s Purdue University have discovered new information about the roles played by two different genes: Polo-like kinase (Plk1) – which helps to regulate the life-cycle of cells – and Pten, a tumor-suppressor gene.
According to the study, later-stage cancer cells are lacking Pten, which causes problems during cell division. To compensate for the lack of Pten, the cells produce more Plk1, which results in rapid cell division: "usually a hallmark of cancer formation," explained lead author Xiaoqi Liu.
"This turns out to be a major driving factor in future cancer," added Liu. "Without Pten, there is huge potential to become a cancer cell."
The researchers tested a Plk1 inhibitor drug on human and mice cancer cells. Some of the cells contained Pten, while others had lost it – and those cells lacking in Pten responded to the drug.
"In later stages of prostate cancer, cells have lost Pten," said Liu. "This means the Plk1 inhibitor can be a good drug for treatment of those tumors."
The drug proved effective even at low doses, which means the side effects could be less severe. The drug can also target cancer cells that have stopped responding to current treatments aimed at stopping cell division.