Determining the risk of prostate cancer death

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified a prognostic biomarker, the neuropeptide pro-NPY, which may help determine the risk of dying from prostate cancer. The scientists say the protein is very specific to prostate cancer cells and could help identify whether newly diagnosed patients require radical prostatectomy surgery or if it is safe to delay surgery.

Using mass spectrometry, the researchers measured concentration changes in thousands of proteins in both normal and tumour tissue from prostate cancer. They discovered that in comparison to normal tissue, the prostate tumours exhibit numerous metabolic alterations including exacerbated activity of mitochondria.

Among the 9000 proteins identified by the team, pro-NPY was demonstrated to exhibit particularly high levels in a subgroup of prostate cancer samples. The protein was analysed in 750 patients with prostate cancer to show that pro-NPY levels correlate with increased risk of prostate cancer death. The study results were published in the journal European Urology.

“Our research shows that high pro-NPY levels are very specific to prostate cancer and can serve to predict prostate cancer-related death among diagnosed patients who have not received surgical treatment,” said Professor Amilcar Flores-Morales from the university’s Department of Veterinary Disease Biology.

“So identifying the biomarker pro-NPY could help us identify patients who would benefit from early active treatment, whereby we would also reduce unnecessary treatment of patients who undergo surgery when they have low-grade tumours that for the most part do not put their lives at risk. In the end, due to side effects, this could prove more harmful than beneficial to patients.”

The researchers additionally noted that proteins are key effectors of cellular functions, so a better understanding of the protein signalling pathways deregulated in prostate cancer could lead to better preventive and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this disease. It is possible that metabolic alterations, such as the increase in mitochondria activity, could be targeted in the treatment of prostate cancer.