Routinely testing for a faulty BRCA2 gene in under-65s with prostate cancer could help identify men who could benefit from new types of targeted treatment, according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer.
Gene testing for prostate cancer
The study, funded by Cancer Research UK and Prostate Action, and led by The Institute of Cancer Research, shows that one in 100 men diagnosed with prostate cancer under the age of 65 has a faulty BRCA2 gene. Researchers said that such patients could be prioritised for clinical trials of new targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors. PARP inhibitors are already showing considerable promise in patient trials for cancer linked to BRCA mutations, which includes some breast and ovarian cancers.
