Prostate cancer growth dramatically reduced with new compound

Dr. David Samadi gives his expert opinion of a recent study revealing a new way to target stubborn prostate cancer cells that reduce growth in cultures by 95 percent compared to untreated cells.

Better, more promising prostate cancer treatments are always welcomed and a new study published in Nature Communications, have developed a new compound that targets hard-to-treat prostate cancer cells.  The compound is called cyclic peptoids and has been created by researchers at the New York University School of Medicine in New York City to specifically target cells that current prostate cancer treatments do not.

“This latest research is encouraging news as a cutting-edge method of successfully treating prostate cancer for more men,” said Dr. David Samadi, Urologic Oncologist Expert and World Renowned Robotic Surgeon.  “The newly designed peptoids are meant to target prostate cancer tumors that are resistant to current treatments.  The exciting part of this study is that these cyclic peptoids have been found to reduce the growth of prostate cancer cells in cultures by 95 percent.  That’s a huge success rate.”

Researchers from the study state that the cyclic peptoid compounds block growth by interfering with the interaction between the protein beta-catenin and T-cell factor (TCF) transcription factors which are proteins that turn on genes that make cells multiply.

“This treatment is different from what is currently used to treat prostate cancer,” explained Dr. Samadi.  “Existing drugs, called anti-androgen drugs, target androgen hormonal signals that promote prostate cancer growth. They work temporarily but the problem has been most patients treated with anti-androgen drugs will experience a recurrence of prostate cancer growth within months. This is why scientists have been working on finding alternative therapeutic strategies.”

The focus of this new research has been to step outside the box of continuing to make compounds that offer nothing new but instead to rethink what a drug-like molecule should be. The difference with this new compound is that is can block cancer growth by inhibiting the interaction between proteins that turn on the genes that make cells multiply.

“We know that these genes and their activity are necessary for the early development of prostate tissue during childhood and adolescence but when a man reaches adulthood, this gene activity discontinues triggering cell production,” state Dr. Samadi.  “However, if there are changes reactivating the gene’s activity during a man’s adulthood, this can lead to prostate cancer.”

Dr. Samadi went on to say, “Currently, one in nine men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. The success rate is high with 95 percent of men diagnosed with the disease will not die from it. If a man’s prostate cancer is found in its earliest stages, that percentage success rate rises to almost 100 percent. However, I always remind men that early stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms.  This makes it imperative for men to have regular prostate cancer screenings beginning at age 40 which include a prostate-specific antigen blood test, a digital rectal exam, or both.  Early detection is critical for beating back prostate cancer. But with new advances for better treatments like this study has found, the future of treating prostate cancer successfully for all men looks bright.”

Patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer can contact world renowned prostate cancer surgeon and urologic oncologist, Dr. David Samadi, for a free phone consultation and to learn more about prostate cancer risk, call 212-365-5000.