The DNA test that can tell if prostate cancer will return in patients who have suffered the disease

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New test of genetic 'signature' had an 80 per cent success rate in a trial
One-third to half of prostate cancer patients face disease spreading
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in British men

Published: 19:17 EST, 4 April 2014 | Updated: 19:22 EST, 4 April 2014

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Breakthrough: The test, which had an 80 per cent success rate in trials, looks for a genetic 'signature that is linked to a high risk of cancer coming back

Scientists are developing a test to predict which prostate cancer patients are most likely to suffer a recurrence of the disease.

It means doctors will be able to give those at high risk drugs to improve their chances.

Men who have a low risk of the disease coming back after surgery and radiotherapy will be spared additional treatment.

The new test, which had an 80 per cent success rate in a trial, looks for a genetic ‘signature’, or pattern, that is linked to a high risk of cancer coming back.

The Canadian researchers will release details of their work today at a conference of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology in Vienna.

Professor Robert Bristow said between one-third and half of patients face a spread of cancer outside the prostate gland that is not detected in initial treatment.

He said: ‘Men who fail treatment within two years may be at the highest risk of dying from their prostate cancer.

‘New tests are required that are better at predicting which patients will have cancer recur.

‘These men can then be offered additional treatments, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, that will combat the prostate cancer throughout their entire body . . . in order to improve their chances of survival.’

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In the UK, more than 41,000 men are diagnosed each year, leading to around 10,000 deaths annually.

The new genetic test was developed by Professor Bristow, of the University of Toronto, and Dr Paul Boutros, of the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research.

By analysing the DNA in tissue taken from a tumour before any treatment, it can predict whether surgery and radiotherapy will be successful for that patient.

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Professor Bristow said: ‘This is the first report of a test using this information derived from biopsy samples that can predict with close to 80 per cent accuracy which men are at high or low risk of prostate cancer recurring.’

The researchers plan further trials over the next two years to ensure it will work in hospitals.

‘If all goes well, this will lead to a new test for cancer patients that can be turned around in three days and will tell doctors which patients will do well with local treatment alone – surgery or radiotherapy – and which will need extra treatment,’ he said.

Tumour: Doctors are keen to discover which cancer patients are likely to respond well to treatment

The researchers analysed DNA from 126 patients thought to be at intermediate risk, and followed their progress for eight years.

They analysed each patient’s whole genome to identify areas with missing, extra, or irregular sections of genetic material.

They found a pattern, or genetic signature, that is common to men at high risk of cancer recurring.

They tested their findings on 150 further patients, with similar results. Professor Bristow said: ‘These results will enable us to develop a new way of personalising medicine.’

█ A prostate cancer treatment called brachytherapy, in which low-dose radioactive seeds are placed inside the prostate, could help half of men to retain their sex lives after treatment.

Research shows this internal radiation is better than conventional radiotherapy, in which only one-third of men have their sexual function unaffected.

It should be offered to all patients, said researcher Dr Renee Oismuller.

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Val, Wales, 1 day ago

I was diagnosed as having prostate cancer a couple of years ago following a biopsy. Prostate cancer can be very aggressive or not aggressive, in my case it is of the not aggressive type. I decided to go for the 'watchful waiting' option where I have a PSA test every three months and two appointments a year with the urology team. Last year my PSA rose quickly and in December I had another biopsy that showed NO cancer. Since then I have had another PSA test that shows the PSA dropping back. This experience reveals what urologists will admit is the hit-and-miss methods of basing decisions on the possibility of cancer from the PSA test. It can give both false positive and false negative results. The biopsy is also not definitive. I do have cancer, it was found in my first biopsy but was missed with the second. It hasn't spread even though the PSA had shot up (and then dropped back). I am very grateful to the NHS and hope that more money can be found for research.

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Trinket, Stockport, United Kingdom, 11 hours ago

Would a scan have helped - and been a bit more conclusive

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Val, Wales, 8 hours ago

Hi Trinket, I had an MRI last Autumn because of the rising PSA test. There was concern that the cancer had spread, possibly into local organs. The scan showed that there was no spread. I consider myself very lucky to live in West Wales and being treated by a GP who was proactive in getting me tested in the first place and Withybush Hospital's urology department whose care and attention is first class.

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rose, Liverpool, 1 day ago

Double edged sword here ..I have had cancer and the big worry is it returning ..not sure if I would like to know it's definitely going to ..ticking time bomb.