"Secret weapon" against prostate cancer discovered.
Scientists Discover the 'Secret Weapon' Against Prostate Cancer
REDACCIÓN INTERNACION AL SALUD.-A team of scientists from the Moffitt Cancer Center (USA) has identified a crucial breakthrough in the treatment of localized prostate cancer: genomic classification tests (GC), capable of halting the growth of tumors. However, despite their potential, there is an urgent need for more data on their cost-effectiveness and clinical utility, particularly in racial and ethnic populations, such as Black men.
Prostate cancer, the most common cancer among men, presents a challenge for doctors in determining the appropriate treatment. Traditional tools, such as the NCCN guidelines, can be inaccurate, leading to either overtreatment or undertreatment. Genomic tests like Decipher, Prolaris, and Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score provide a more precise view of tumor aggressiveness, but their use remains inconsistent due to conflicting guidelines.
A comprehensive review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, led by Emir Alishahi Tabriz, evaluated 19 studies to assess the impact of these tests on risk stratification and treatment decisions. The findings reveal that, in most cases, genomic tests did not significantly alter the risk classification of patients with low-risk prostate cancer. However, tests based on GPS and Decipher showed different reclassification rates, highlighting the need for further research to understand the real impact of these technologies on prostate cancer treatment.
This breakthrough could change the landscape of treatments for this disease, offering a key tool for personalizing approaches and optimizing patient health. However, researchers emphasize the importance of well-designed trials to validate their effectiveness in clinical practice.
