We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Simple Saliva DNA Test Identifies Prostate Cancer Patients at Risk for Radiation Toxicity

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 09 Jul 2024

Radiation therapy is the standard treatment for prostate cancer, but it can lead to long-lasting side effects like urinary and bowel complications, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. More...

Globally, men with prostate cancer endure the highest number of years living with disabilities resulting from treatment side effects, underscoring both the high prevalence of the disease and the effectiveness of modern therapy in achieving high cure rates. Now, researchers are further advancing their work in personalizing cancer treatment to enhance the quality of life for prostate cancer patients by predicting and preventing severe long-term side effects caused by radiation therapy.

Investigators at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (Los Angeles, CA, USA) have received a USD 1.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI, Bethesda, MD, USA) to validate and leverage biomarkers that predict adverse side effects from radiation therapy. Their study targets specific genetic markers known as mirSNPs, which are promising in predicting side effects from cancer treatments. A critical biomarker identified by the team, PROSTOX, has been shown to predict late genitourinary toxicity following advanced radiation therapy. PROSTOX is effective in predicting toxicity from two radiation therapy types: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which administers radiation in high doses over 5-7 sessions, and conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT), involving 35-45 sessions.

This test enables the assessment of whether a patient is at low or high risk for late genitourinary toxicity following SBRT or CFRT. Understanding the risk level can assist patients and physicians in selecting the most appropriate and safest treatment strategy. The researchers aim to further validate the predictive accuracy of PROSTOX in more patient groups. Additionally, they plan to explore the biological variations among patients with these biomarkers and assess the potential of highly targeted adaptive radiotherapy to minimize these and other side effects for all patients.

“By understanding the mirSNP genetic markers that predispose patients to adverse side effects from cancer therapy we can tailor these therapies to minimize harm and maximize efficacy,” said co-investigator Dr. Joanne Weidhaas, professor of radiation oncology, vice chair and head of translational research and co-developer of the PROSTOX test. “This work has the potential to improve the lives of countless patients.”

Related Links:
UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
MiraDx
NCI


New
Gold Member
Cardiovascular Risk Test
Metabolic Syndrome Array I & II
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Gold Member
Rapid AKI Test
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Array (4-plex)
New
Alcohol Testing Device
Dräger Alcotest 7000
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New diagnostics could predict a woman’s risk of a common sexually transmitted infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Markers Could Predict Risk of Severe Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other reproductive complications when it spreads to the upper genital tract.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.