Funded Research 2003

Investigating the effect of manipulation of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) on the response of prostate carcinoma cells to low dose rate eradication
Dr Anthony Chalmers, Gray Cancer Institute, Mount Vernon Hospital , Northwood, Middlesex , England

The past few years have seen an increasing use of continuous low dose rate radiation to treat early prostate cancer, most notable in the form of implanted radioactive iodine seeds. Whilst the results of this technique have been encouraging, a proportion of patients treated will experience a recurrence of their tumour. In addition, patients with larger or more aggressive tumours are less likely to benefit from this approach. Both of these problems could be overcome if the capacity of the radiation released by the iodine seeds to kill the tumour cells could be increased. We are investigating whether this goal might be achieved by targeting a particular protein known as PARP-1 that is involved in repairing the damage that radiation inflicts upon the cells.

Drugs are available that inactivate this protein, and we have already shown that these compounds increase the capacity of small individual doses of radiation to kill tumour cells. The current project will test the effect on prostate cancer cells of these drugs (known as PARP-1 inhibitors) in combination with continuous radiation similar to that released by the radio-iodine implants.

The attraction of the PARP-1 inhibitors is that they have relatively little effect on normal tissues, even in the presence of radiation. We are therefore optimistic that the combined treatment will be able to eradicate prostate cancers more effectively than current treatments without a worsening of side effects.

 

Project commenced
March 2003

Length of project
1 yera

Amount Supported
£23,263

 

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