DMMC Course CANCER BIOLOGY TO CANCER MEDICINE

1400-1450 Thursday 25 May 2006.
Durkan Lecture Theatre, Institute of Molecular Medicine, TCD, St James's Hospital

Disease Focus III: Understanding prostate cancer, cellular and molecular clues
Dr William Watson (UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research)
Dr David Waugh (Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology, Queens University Belfast)

Prostate cancer is a significant cause of illness and death in Irish males. Despite recent advances, the current diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has limitations. In the last few years, numerous biomolecules have been investigated with the aim of improving diagnosis, including kallikrein-like proteases, growth factors and neuroendocrine markers. Analysis of susceptibility genes has also been a focus of attention. Extensive research into new therapeutic approaches is underway, including manipulating apoptosis, inflammation and angiogenesis. Gene chip technology and proteomics have emerged as promising innovations in the discovery of novel targets and diagnostic markers. However, this host of novel diagnostic markers and therapies require appropriate validation, both phenotypic and functional. A further consideration is the need to re-evaluate clinical trial design and endpoints to facilitate progression of promising targets through the clinical trial process. Overall, the outlook for the treatment of prostate cancer looks promising, with any advances likely to require both a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach.

Resources

Reference: Abate-Shen, C. & Shen, M.M. (2000). Molecular genetics of prostate cancer. Genes Dev. 14, 2410-2434. PubMed Entry

Reference: Dehm, S.M. & Tindall, D.J. (2006). Molecular regulation of androgen action in prostate cancer. J Cell Biochem. (Epub ahead of print). PubMed Entry