prostate-report.org

Seattle researchers find genetic scrap in prostate cancer that could yield a test

In the study, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, cancer researchers in Seattle reported they isolated dozens of microRNAs from human blood plasma, the liquid left after cells are removed. Using mice implanted with human prostate cancer cells, they identified microRNA sequences specific to the cancer. In blind blood tests, researchers easily identified the mice that had been implanted with cancer cells by the presence of the microRNA sequences.

Existing laboratory tests can identify the genetic molecules, called microRNAs, even if present in only minute amounts in a blood sample. Researchers say that suggests the microRNAs could help to detect prostate cancer early and accurately.