Personalized Medicine and Prostate Cancer

I had said before how important replication studies are. It does bear some reminding though. replication lets us know that we are on the right track. There can be many false findings in the genome, especially when we are unsure what a certain marker does or does not do(confusing, I know). With that being said I report on a marker that has been linked to aggressive prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is extremely common and tends to be more aggressive in certain populations. In fact, there are some doctors who opt not to treat the elderly because of the risks outweigh the benefits.

The marker which is being replicated was initially found by the deCode company back in 2006
Northwester reported on the findings at the American Urologic Association meeting this month.
What are they?

1. This marker is twice as common in African Americans (more aggressive prostate cancer is often in AAs)
2. If you carry the marker you are 40% more likely to have a family member with prostate cancer
3. You are more likely to have metastases if you carry this marker

The Gene Sherpa Says: This study shows the heritability of prostate cancer, and more importantly aggressive prostate cancer. Perhaps by identifying those with the marker, then we can go after the tumor more aggressively as there are several ways to treat this Cancer based on "non-molecular" staging.