Cancer of the prostate is the most common malignancy in men and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Although frequently curable in its early stage, in more than half of the patients it has spread outside the gland at the time of diagnosis. While androgen withdrawal therapies are often used to control the disease, the cancer usually progresses to androgen independence which severely compromises survival. Despite the magnitude of prostate cancer incidence, mortality, and health care cost, very little research has been focused on this disease.

Recognizing our unique situation in Vancouver with respect to a long history of successful prostate cancer research from which we have developed many innovative new treatments (e.g., combined low-dose DES and cyproterone acetate, neo-adjuvant hormonal ablation therapy, and  Intermittent Androgen Suppression), we are now collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of local and Washington State University scientists and clinicians in research focused on the malignant progression of prostate cancer and early detection of the disease. The principal objectives of our research are as follows:

1. to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for progression of prostate cancers to androgen independence, i.e. resistance to hormonal manipulations
2. to use this information to develop integrated multimodality therapies for improved treatment of prostate cancer.
3. to develop molecular genetic detection methods.

Central hypothesis:

Our central hypothesis is that the emergence of androgen independence can be defined in terms of specific genetic and cellular changes; some of which will serve as therapeutic targets or clinically useful markers of disease staging and progression.

The approach:

To investigate molecular mechanisms which are involved in the development of prostate cancer and its malignant progression, a variety of programs are being pursued, including:

• Identification of signal transduction pathways associated with androgen-independent prostate cancer growth.
• Characterization of changes in gene expression associated with early tumor progression, as indicated by elevation of PSA, using a novel, experimental in vivo model.
• Identification of biochemical events associated with bone metastases.
• Development of drugs aimed at preventing androgen-independent activation of the androgen receptor, a potential mechanism for blocking the progression of prostate cancers to androgen independence.
• Identification of gene mutations during the development of prostate cancer, using microdissections from biopsies.
• Characterization of a new prostate cancer gene whose product could be used as a marker for early diagnosis of the disease.

  Selected Publications

Donations:

If you would like to make a tax-deductable donation (>$20) to our program, please send your donation with a brief note indicating that you wish your contribution be applied to Prostate Cancer Research. Donations may be made on-line through the BC Cancer Foundation by VISA or MasterCard.

Cheques should be made payable to the  BC Cancer Foundation and sent to: BC Cancer Foundation, 200 - 601 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2.

Information on our Prostate Cancer Research Program may be obtained from:

Dr. Marianne Sadar
BC Cancer Research Centre, 601 West 10^th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada

Thank you for your support!