New Gene Variants For Prostate Cancer Identified

An international team of scientists has identified 23 new genetic variants linked to a greater risk for prostate cancer. Although more research is needed, the researchers said their findings, which bring the total number of common gene variants associated with prostate cancer to 100, could help doctors diagnose the disease earlier and could lead to the development of new treatments. "Our study tells us more about the effect of the genetic hand that men are dealt on their risk of prostate cancer. We know that there are a few major genes that are rare and significantly affect prostate cancer risk, but what we are now learning is that there are many other common genetic variants that individually have only a small effect on risk, but collectively can be very important," researcher explained. Eeles added, "To use the playing cards analogy again, sometimes multiple low cards can combine to form a high-risk score. We can now explain a third of the inherited risk of prostate cancer, and will shortly be conducting a clinical trial to find out whether testing for genetic variants in men can successfully pick up the disease early, and help direct targeted interventions for patients." The scientists team examined the genetic information of over 87,000 men of European, African, Japanese, and Latino heritage. The investigators compiled genetic population studies of 43,303 men with prostate cancer and 43,737 "controls" (without prostate cancer) to increase the likelihood they would identify new variants. The researchers found 16 new genetic indicators associated with prostate cancer risk in European men, including a variant linked with increased risk of early onset disease. They also identified seven genetic indicators in men of mixed heritage. As a result, the study's authors said they could now explain 33 percent of the inherited origins of prostate cancer in European men. Among the European men assessed for the 100 common variants, the 10 percent at greatest risk are nearly three times more likely to develop prostate cancer, according to the study. The researchers also found the top 1 percent are nearly six times more likely to develop the disease. Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate if these new findings could improve on prostate cancer screening tests. In particular, they are examining whether genetic testing could help diagnose more men at risk for aggressive forms of prostate cancer that need immediate treatment.

Return to top

                                                        Traffic Pollution Linked To Higher Levels Of Obesity Hormone

Older people exposed to high levels of black carbon -- the fine particle air pollution from traffic -- may have increased levels of leptin, a hormone linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease, a new study suggests. Although the research doesn't establish a cause-and-effect relationship between black carbon exposure and leptin levels, the study authors said their findings could help explain the association between traffic-related air pollution and the risk for heart disease. "If confirmed, these findings support the emerging evidence suggesting that certain sources of traffic pollution may be associated with adverse cardiometabolic effects," the researchers wrote. "Cardiometabolic" refers to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. In conducting the study, the investigators measured levels of leptin in the blood of 765 older adults living in Boston. The researchers examined the association between this hormone and the participants' exposure to black carbon. The study revealed a strong link between exposure to black carbon and leptin levels. Those with the greatest exposure to black carbon had lower incomes and higher rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, the researchers noted. These people were also less likely to be white. Even after taking these differences into account, leptin levels were 27 percent higher for older people with the greatest exposure to black carbon, according. There was no association, however, between leptin levels and the distance from the participants' homes to a major road, the study authors said. The researchers concluded that the study participants' exposure to black carbon was the result of a wide range of roads situated near their homes.

Return to top

                                              Vitamin E, Selenium Supplements Don't Seem to Prevent Cataracts

Daily supplements of selenium or vitamin E don't seem to protect against the development of age-related cataracts among men, a new study indicates. Previous animal research has suggested that one or both could help prevent cataracts. To investigate this further, researcher examined data from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of selenium and vitamin E. The trial was initially designed to study prevention of prostate cancer. Of the more than 35,000 men involved in the initial study, more than 11,000 were asked to report if they had been diagnosed with cataracts or undergone cataract removal surgery since the study began. All of the black men in the study were aged 50 years or older. All of the other men were aged 55 years or older. The average treatment and follow-up period was about six years. There were almost 400 cases of cataracts during that time, according to the findings. Among the men taking selenium, there were 185 cases of cataracts, compared to 204 in the group that didn't take this supplement. Meanwhile, 197 cases of cataracts were diagnosed among the men taking vitamin E, compared to 192 in the group that didn't take it. The men taking the supplements and those who didn't also had similar rates of cataract removal, the researchers pointed out. "These randomized trial data from a large [group] of apparently healthy men indicate that long-term daily supplemental use of vitamin E has no material impact on cataract incidence," the study authors wrote. "The data also exclude any large beneficial effect on cataract for long-term supplemental use of selenium, with or without vitamin E, although a smaller but potentially important beneficial effect could not be ruled out," they added.

Return to top

Products of SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Return to top