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Drug for deadly prostate cancer | Drug for deadly prostate cancer |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Scientists are hailing a new drug to treat aggressive prostate cancer as potentially the most significant advance in the field for 70 years. | Scientists are hailing a new drug to treat aggressive prostate cancer as potentially the most significant advance in the field for 70 years. |
Abiraterone could potentially treat up to 80% of patients with a deadly form of the disease resistant to currently available chemotherapy, they say. | Abiraterone could potentially treat up to 80% of patients with a deadly form of the disease resistant to currently available chemotherapy, they say. |
The drug works by blocking the hormones which fuel the cancer. | The drug works by blocking the hormones which fuel the cancer. |
The Institute of Cancer Research hopes a simple pill form will be available in two to three years. | The Institute of Cancer Research hopes a simple pill form will be available in two to three years. |
Richard Pflaum talks about his trial of Abiraterone | |
An advanced clinical trial involving 1,200 patients around the world is currently under way, with more trials likely later this year. | An advanced clinical trial involving 1,200 patients around the world is currently under way, with more trials likely later this year. |
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. | Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. |
It is estimated that up to 10,000 men a year in the UK are diagnosed with the most aggressive - and almost always lethal - form of prostate cancer. | It is estimated that up to 10,000 men a year in the UK are diagnosed with the most aggressive - and almost always lethal - form of prostate cancer. |
Typical life expectancy following chemotherapy is no more than 18 months. | Typical life expectancy following chemotherapy is no more than 18 months. |
It had been assumed that the cancer was driven by sex hormones such as testosterone produced in the testicles. | It had been assumed that the cancer was driven by sex hormones such as testosterone produced in the testicles. |
Current treatments work by stopping the testicles from producing testosterone. | Current treatments work by stopping the testicles from producing testosterone. |
New action | New action |
However, experts have now discovered that the cancer can feed on sex hormones from all sources, including supplies of the hormone produced by the tumour itself. | However, experts have now discovered that the cancer can feed on sex hormones from all sources, including supplies of the hormone produced by the tumour itself. |
The changes in my life have been dramatic Simon BushCancer trial patient Read Simon's story | The changes in my life have been dramatic Simon BushCancer trial patient Read Simon's story |
Abiraterone works by blocking production of the hormones throughout the body. | Abiraterone works by blocking production of the hormones throughout the body. |
The latest study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is based on just 21 patients with advanced, aggressive prostate cancer treated with the drug - but data has been collected on a total of 250 worldwide. | The latest study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is based on just 21 patients with advanced, aggressive prostate cancer treated with the drug - but data has been collected on a total of 250 worldwide. |
It found significant tumour shrinkage, and a drop in tell-tale levels of a key protein produced by the cancer called prostate specific antigen in the majority of patients. | It found significant tumour shrinkage, and a drop in tell-tale levels of a key protein produced by the cancer called prostate specific antigen in the majority of patients. |
Many of the patients have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their lives. | Many of the patients have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their lives. |
Some were able to stop taking morphine for the relief of pain caused by the spread of the disease to their bones. | Some were able to stop taking morphine for the relief of pain caused by the spread of the disease to their bones. |
Real hope | Real hope |
Lead researcher Dr Johann de Bono said the findings needed to be confirmed in larger trials. | Lead researcher Dr Johann de Bono said the findings needed to be confirmed in larger trials. |
We believe we have made a major step forward in the treatment of end-stage prostate cancer patients Dr Johann de BonoInstitute of Cancer Research | |
At this stage, no patient has taken the drug for longer than two-and-a-half years, and so it has not been possible to determine exactly what the effect of the drug on life expectancy will be. | At this stage, no patient has taken the drug for longer than two-and-a-half years, and so it has not been possible to determine exactly what the effect of the drug on life expectancy will be. |
But he said: "We believe we have made a major step forward in the treatment of end-stage prostate cancer patients. | But he said: "We believe we have made a major step forward in the treatment of end-stage prostate cancer patients. |
"These men have very aggressive prostate cancer which is exceptionally difficult to treat and almost always proves to be fatal. | "These men have very aggressive prostate cancer which is exceptionally difficult to treat and almost always proves to be fatal. |
"We hope that abiraterone will eventually offer them real hope of an effective way of managing their condition and prolonging their lives." | "We hope that abiraterone will eventually offer them real hope of an effective way of managing their condition and prolonging their lives." |
It is hoped the drug will also aid other cancer patients, including those with breast cancer. | It is hoped the drug will also aid other cancer patients, including those with breast cancer. |
Professor David Webb, an expert in clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said: "This agent clearly looks promising, but it is still at the early stages of clinical development. | Professor David Webb, an expert in clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said: "This agent clearly looks promising, but it is still at the early stages of clinical development. |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
"It will be crucial to look carefully at the balance between its benefits and harms, before drawing firm conclusions about the usefulness of this new drug. | "It will be crucial to look carefully at the balance between its benefits and harms, before drawing firm conclusions about the usefulness of this new drug. |
"Important side effects often only emerge with the larger clinical studies that now need to be done." | "Important side effects often only emerge with the larger clinical studies that now need to be done." |
John Neate, of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "This is an exciting development which has been eagerly anticipated." | John Neate, of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "This is an exciting development which has been eagerly anticipated." |
Are you affected by the issues in this story? What is your reaction to this potential breakthrough? | Are you affected by the issues in this story? What is your reaction to this potential breakthrough? |