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02 Dec 2018

Blood test could predict if chemotherapy will work for advanced prostate cancer patients

World-first trial by Australian researchers

Australian cancer researchers have discovered a biomarker in the blood for metastatic prostate cancer that can predict whether a patient will respond to chemotherapy. The study1, which is a world-first Phase 3 investigation of response to chemotherapy in patients with the biomarker, is a unique collaboration between clinicians and scientists at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

Patients with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) were assessed using a blood test to detect the presence of a methylated copy of the glutathione s transferase gene (mGSTP1). The mGSTP1 biomarker was detected in the blood of 81% of patients before treatment. After two cycles of chemotherapy drug docetaxel, the blood tests were performed again. In 53% of cases, the biomarker was no longer detectable. The absence of detectable mGSTP1 was a reliable indicator of both longer overall survival and slower disease progression, providing an accurate guide for treatment decisions.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men in Australia, with an estimated 3,500 deaths from the disease in 2018.

Professor Lisa Horvath, director of medical oncology at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, says of the discovery, “This significant advance in personalised cancer treatment can provide clinicians with reliable information for making decisions that ensure the patient is getting the most effective treatment for them and potentially avoiding unnecessary treatment.”

The mGSTP1 gene was first identified as a prostate cancer specific biomarker 20 years ago by Professor Susan Clark, Head of Genomics and Epigenetics, Garvan Institute and her colleagues at CSIRO. Professor Clark says, “I am immensely proud of this collaborative Australian discovery which will allow us to tailor the most appropriate treatment to a patient, based on the genetic makeup of the cancer.”

Researchers involved in the study are looking forward to conducting further clinical trials of the biomarker which will potentially result in the one of the first licenced epigenetic2 biomarkers for prostate cancer.

The results were published in European Urology on 20 November 2018.

  1. Mahon KL, Qu W, Lin HM, Spielman C, Cain D, Jacobs C, Stockler MR, de Bono JS, Higano CS, Chi KN, Clark SJ*, Horvath LG*. Post hoc analysis of a phase III study to test the association between circulating methylated glutathione s transferase (mGSTP1) DNA levels and response to docetaxel (DTX) in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). *These authors contributed equally to the study published in European Urology.
  2. Changes that affect gene activity but are not DNA mutations

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ABOUT CHRIS O`BRIEN LIFEHOUSE

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is a comprehensive cancer hospital providing screening, diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation oncology, research and supportive care. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, carers and their families by advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of the disease.  Lifehouse is a private not-for-profit institution.

Any operating surplus received by the hospital is re-invested in the Lifehouse to continually innovate and improve services.

ABOUT GARVAN INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is one of Australia's largest medical research institutions and is at the forefront of next-generation genomic sequencing in Australia. Garvan’s main research areas are: cancer, diabetes and metabolism, genomics and epigenetics, immunology and inflammation, osteoporosis and bone biology, and neuroscience. Garvan’s mission is to make significant contributions to medical science that will change the directions of science and medicine and have major impacts on human health.

For interviews:

  • Professor Lisa Horvath, Director of Medical Oncology and Acting Director of Research, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
  • Professor Susan Clark, Head of Genomics and Epigenetics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research

More information

Kirsty Elliott, Communications Manager

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse

0451 165 526

kirsty.elliott@lh.org.au

Anna Sweeney

Garvan Institute

0437 282 467

a.sweeney@garvan.org.au