Cell Cycle Gone Wrong
Typically, Prostate cancer (and many types of cancer) are caused by an error either in the protooncogene or the Tumor Suppressor genes. These errors lead to unregulated growth and the formation of tumors.
In the case of prostate cancer, the problem occurs in the G1 Checkpoint, where it is supposed to check for DNA damage. Under normal circumstances if the damage is too much, the cell won’t duplicate. In the case of prostate cancer, however, it duplicates anyways. The G2 checkpoint also checks for DNA damage and again, due to the cancerous oncogene it passes right by the checkpoint when it should be stopped.
Gene Mutation and Expression
Oftentimes, there are inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of Prostate Cancer;
BRCA1 and BRCA2: genes that normally help repair mistakes in cells DNA, but mutated often do the opposite, allowing damaged cells to multiply.
MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2: genes that normally fix mistakes in right before the cell separates into two different cells. Men that have inherited these are at a higher risk for Prostate Cancer and many others.
HOXB13: This is a gene that helps develop the prostate gland early on, and mutations in this gland have been linked to early onset prostate cancer. This mutation is very uncommon.
Mutations that affect genes regulating the cell cycle, such as cyclins, oftentimes result in Prostate Cancer. Cyclins regulate the M checkpoint, and when mutated can allow prostate cancer cells to grow unchallenged.
New Research
New research on Genetics in prostate cancer is proving useful in studying how it develops. Medicine is being designed now to target specific genetics. In addition it helps to predict a number of things:
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What men are most likely to develop (or already have) prostate cancer
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Figuring out which types of prostate cancer are more likely to spread and should be treated
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Identifying men who should do more genetic testing to see if they have a damaged gene
Scientists continue to look for types of diets to lower the risk of prostate cancer. Some studies point to tomatoes (lycopenes) and soybeans (isoflavones), but the data is inconclusive as of yet. Scientists are trying to create related compounds that are more potent, but as of yet nothing has worked exactly right.
Currently the PSA blood test is a very imperfect way to find out if there is prostate cancer. Scientists are working to find a more conclusive test, one that combines the results of total PSA, free PSA, and proPSA to determine if someone has cancer than needs to be treated.
New Studies
A recent study done in 2006 on Asian men tested the cancer detection rate between men a low versus high PSA level. Men between ages 40-79 were inducted, and the results were fascinating; 23% of men with a lower PSA were found with Prostate Cancer, while 19% in the higher PSA group were found. It's not enough evidence to draw conclusions about how the Asian male population contracts Prostate Cancer, but it is important to note that the lower PSA - the main test for finding if there's prostate cancer - isn't all that accurate. More studies need to be done to find a more accurate way to detect it.