Prostate Drug demand for Breast Cancer


Drugs currently used by doctors to cope with prostate cancer to be a strong candidate for the treatment of refractory cancers, namely breast cancer. Preliminary research shows some types of breast tumors respond well to medication prostate cancer.

Previously, treatment with hormones such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors in prostate cancer drug said to be quite effective against 30% of breast cancer. But the newest research lab in Cambridge, in The EMBO Journal, suggests some breast tumors was found to respond well.

Cancer Research UK said that the findings were a "big surprise". Because the hormones (tamoxifen and aromatase) may activate genes that cause uncontrolled cell growth and develop into tumors.

In women, breast cancer can occur due to excess estrogen. In men, prostate cancer can be caused due to an increase in the hormone testosterone. Breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of breast cancer by developing drugs that interfere with the hormones estrogen and stop tumor progression.

Researchers at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute found that some of the hormones estrogen-negative tumors as the cause of it is influenced by male hormones. The same genes that are activated by the female hormone estrogen responsive in tumors with activated by male hormones.

This raises the prospect that a drug has been developed for prostate cancer can help some women. While androgens, like testosterone, which is usually associated with male development, was also there in women although the amount is not much.

Dr Ian Mills, chairman of the researchers said, patients with a type of estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer could potentially benefit from therapy given to patients with prostate cancer. "This discovery could change the treatment for this group in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said: "Prostate cancer is dependent on androgen receptor so that it becomes a big surprise if the types of breast cancer may also be triggered by this protein."

Dr. Caitlin Palframan, policy manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "This research can be a door opener for personal care in a small group of breast cancer patients. Women with estrogen receptor negative disease have few treatment options and new ways to solve it urgently needed, "he said.

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