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News

‘Nano Particles Kill Cancer’

Scientists have created a “Trojan horse” that sneaks nanoparticles into cancer cells and causes them to self-destruct. The research is still in its early days, but the new method has already proved to be effective at killing cancer cells in a petri dish and reducing tumour growth in mice. See more

A Bristol first – and sparing nerves

A Bristol man is the first NHS patient to have a device implanted which can reduce the side effects of radiotherapy by 70% (see more here). And a trial to spare the nerves around the prostate during surgery is being held at Southmead Hospital. If successful, it will reduce the risk of erectile disfunction and will be available throughout England.

MRI Scans To Replace PSA ?

Hundreds of UK men are trying out a non-invasive MRI scan for PCa to see if it should eventually be offered routinely on the NHS. The scan takes images to check for any abnormal growths. It will take a few years to know if MRI will be better than PSA tests and biopsies at spotting cancers (Jun ’19). In this article, a professor explains why finding a suitable screening method is vital but has proved difficult. And Prostate Cancer UK said the news made headlines but journalists “can be overly enthusiastic about new research” and put the record straight here. And an academic article on this is to be found here

Help with treatment – but beware

AN NHS tool is now available – intended for men with non-metastatic PCa who are deciding between conservative and radical management regimes. It is intended only for men with non-metastatic prostate cancer who are deciding between these regimes. It’s recommend that patients use this tool in consultation with their doctor (Apr ’19). See here. And four new technologies that will tame the immune system are getting us closer to a future where cancer becomes curable. See more here

Anti-fatigue app approved

Untire has become the first Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF) app to be approved by the NHS, and is now available to download for free via the NHS apps library. It aims to tackle CRF, one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment (Aug ’19). See more at

Defeating therapy resistance

A new US study sheds light on a signalling circuit in cells that drives therapy resistance in PCa. Targeting the components of this circuit suppresses advanced cancer development. See here.

Drug targets tumours

A radioactive drug, which behaves like the substance used to kill Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko, could be used to treat PCa patients. It targets tumours that have spread to the bones and has been approved by NICE. See here

New diagnosis tool; Zytiga affordable

A new risk assessment tool for GPs is set to revolutionise PCa diagnosis. See here. And NICE has agreed that abiraterone (Zytiga) is affordable after a lower price was agreed with the makers. See here.

More accurate predictions ?

Patients might be offered a more accurate prediction of their PCa risk with a novel method developed by Cambridge University researchers. See here

Biopsies may be ‘out’

Urologists are committed to rolling out diagnostic use of the new MRI scans once their benefits are officially confirmed. The scans make it possible to rule out the need for a biopsy in many men who don’t have a clinically significant PCa. See here. Latest on this here.