Translation Research in Prostate Cancer

[摘要] Recent publications in the area of prostate cancer have highlighted deficiencies in the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as the solitary biomarker for this disease. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial demonstrated a significant incidence of prostate cancer (including high-grade prostate cancer) at PSA levels traditionally thought to be in the normal range; yet the problem of over-diagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer still remains.1,2 A need exists to develop a test or tests with greater sensitivity for the detection of prostate cancer, as well as a test or tests to improve specificity for the detection of clinically relevant prostate cancers.3 Only recently has our knowledge of prostate cancer biology been used to develop chemotherapeutic agents able to prolong life in advanced disease.4,5 A better knowledge of molecular pathways can bring to light new potential targets for prostate cancer treatment. In two recently reported studies, investigators have used data from high-throughput gene microarray experiments to bring us closer perhaps to solving these challenges. These studies demonstrate the potential power of molecular biology to improve clinical practice and, simultaneously, how much more we have to learn.

[学科分类] 基础医学