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New Prostate Cancer Marker Found
Aug. 15, 2007 -- Scientists today announced that they have spotted a potential marker of aggressive prostate cancer.
The marker, called B7-H3, is a protein that's involved in the body's immune system.
Mayo Clinic doctors including Timothy Roth, MD, report that B7-H3 is more abundant in prostate cancers than in normal prostate tissue and is especially plentiful in aggressive prostate cancers.
Roth's team tested prostate tissue from 338 men with prostate cancer who had their prostates surgically removed between 1995 and 1998.
All of the men had B7-H3 in their prostate tumors. They also had B7-H3 in normal prostate tissue, to a lesser extent. The researchers tracked the men's prostate cancer for up to nine years.
During that time, prostate cancer worsened in 93 of the patients. Those patients generally had higher B7-H3 levels in their prostate tumors than men whose prostate cancer didn't worsen during the study period.
The researchers suggest that B7-H3 may help doctors gauge whether a patient has aggressive prostate cancer that needs early, aggressive treatment.
B7-H3 may also make a good target for new prostate cancer drugs, according to Roth and colleagues.
But don't expect that to happen right away. First, scientists must learn exactly what B7-H3 does and how to target it in prostate tumors without affecting healthy cells.
The study appears in the journal Cancer Research.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Sheldon Marks, MD, explains nearly everything you need to know about an enlarged prostate but were afraid to ask.
