Identify DNA markers to predict upgrading in men on active surveillance

In a nutshell

This project hopes to find DNA markers that can identify men whose prostate cancer does not need treatment and can be managed by surveillance alone.

Why we funded it

Despite active surveillance being recommended for men with low risk prostate cancer, we still don’t have a reliable way to predict who this is a safe option for, and who is at risk of their disease eventually progressing. By combining clinical information with genetic data the researchers hope to identify specific DNA markers that predict a need for aggressive therapy, as well as markers that can confirm suitability for active surveillance.

Progress so far

The team has investigated cancer genomes from eight patients so far and has found molecular differences in the samples. They have also noted that the level of molecular changes does not increase if biopsies were taken from sites closer or further away from the cancer in the prostate gland. The next steps will be to successfully identify the molecular markers that are predictive of progressive disease in the eight patients on active surveillance.

Grant information

Researcher - Dr Anita Grigoriadis
Institution - King's College London
Grant award - £99,100.00
Reference – S14-001