Study Finds Low Oxygen Levels in Prostate Cancer
PHILADELPHIA (January 18, 1999) -- Prostate cancer, this nation's number one
cause of cancer among men, is treatable with a high success rate if caught
early. But doctors at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia have presented
a novel study suggesting why prostate cancer may recur in some men.
In the study published in January's Urology as a rapid communication,
Benjamin Movsas, M.D., radiation oncologist at Fox Chase, has demonstrated
the presence of poorly oxygenated cells (hypoxia) in patients with prostate
cancer. Using a state of the art instrument (the Eppendorf pO2
microelectrode) that can accurately measure the level of oxygen within
tissues, Movsas has shown that hypoxia exists within prostate cancer, but
not the neighboring normal muscle. To date, no such measurements have been
made in prostate carcinomas.
Previous studies with cervical, head, and neck cancers have shown that cells
with low oxygen levels (hypoxia) are more resistant to radiation treatment.
The occasional failure of radiation therapy remains an important problem in
the treatment of prostate cancer, especially in patients with bulky, locally
advanced disease, who comprise approximately 40 to 50 percent of the patient
population.
Based on this knowledge, doctors can now study the link between hypoxic
cells and the outcome of radiation treatment in terms of local control and
subsequent PSA (prostate-specific antigen) measurements.
"Innovative strategies to combat hypoxia are on the horizon," said Movsas.
"Ultimately, the goal is use those strategies to target patients
specifically identified to be at risk for poor outcome for radiation
treatment based on their oxygen measurements. Such an innovative approach
has not been previously explored in patients with prostate cancer."
Radiation therapy remains equally successful in treating prostate cancer as
surgery. Patients interested in this study should call the Fox Chase Cancer
Center Department of Radiation Oncology at 215-728-2581.
Fox Chase Cancer Center is one of 35 National Cancer Institute-designated
comprehensive cancer centers in the nation. The Center's activities include
basic and clinical research; prevention, detection and treatment of cancer;
and community outreach programs