U of A research could help diagnose prostate cancer severity more accurately
Keri Sweetman - 13 April 2021
Research collaboration focuses on gene mutations to predict risk of more aggressive cancer.
Scientists at the University of Alberta are part of a new research project to develop innovative precision diagnostics that could predict which men with prostate cancer are at risk of developing an aggressive form of the disease.
The researchers will use germline sequencing (sequencing of the genes a person is born with) to determine which genetic mutations predispose men to aggressive prostate cancer.
“Even though two men may have localized prostate cancer, their cases can be quite different depending on what genes have mutated,” explained John Lewis, who holds the Frank and Carla Sojonky Chair in Prostate Cancer Research funded by the Alberta Cancer Foundation and is one of the project leaders. “The project will look at the contribution of your genetics to your risk of having aggressive prostate cancer.”