Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with more than 52,000 cases diagnosed every year on average, but a major discovery by researchers at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) could potentially lead to new treatment options. The scientists have found that a naturally-occurring molecule called carnosine shows promise as an effective first-line treatment for fighting prostate cancer.
During their investigation, the researchers studied the anti-cancer properties of carnosine, which can be produced in the body and is also found in meat. They tested the molecule against cells from both primary and metastatic prostate cancer, where the cancer has spread to another part of the body, and discovered that carnosine prevented the cells from multiplying. In fact, when administered at higher doses, carnosine was found to kill the cancer cells.
The laboratory experiments further revealed that carnosine remained safe for healthy cells. The researchers explained that although carnosine is quickly broken down by enzymes in the body, it may still serve as an initial treatment for prostate cancer through a constant slow-release mechanism. This could involve injecting the molecule directly into the tumor and releasing it in sufficient quantity before it starts to degrade and lose its impact. Another approach could be using carnosine-like molecules that are resistant to enzyme breakdown.
The scientists propose monitoring tumor growth by measuring the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. If the tumor continues to grow despite carnosine treatment, the patient would then have the option for surgery.
Lead researcher Dr. Stephanie McArdle, a scientist at NTU’s John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, expressed optimism about the results and emphasized the need for further human trials. She stated, Our results show that carnosine has a significant inhibitory effect in vitro on the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines. While carnosine has previously been shown to have an anti-tumor effect, its potential role in prostate cancer cells specifically was unknown. Dr. McArdle also mentioned the possibility of carnosine-based strategies being used alone or in combination with other conventional treatments.
Prostate cancer treatments currently available include radiation, chemotherapy, hormone deprivation therapy, or a prostatectomy, which is the surgical removal of the prostate either partially or completely. However, these treatments can have side effects such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, surgery can lead to scarring, which may complicate future operations.
The research conducted by Nottingham Trent University, in collaboration with University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust and Manchester Metropolitan University, was published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
This discovery has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of prostate cancer and provide new hope for the thousands of men affected by the disease each year. As further human trials are conducted, the medical community eagerly anticipates the possibility of using carnosine as a groundbreaking therapy for prostate cancer.
