Researchers from Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University found that testing for an activated Stat5 protein in prostate tumor tissue effectively predicts which men have a form of prostate cancer that may become more aggressive and life threatening. In the August 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, the researchers report that “Stat5" protein in the nucleus of prostate cancer cells was a significant predictor of which patients would develop a worrisome recurrence years after their prostate cancer was initially treated. Stat5 is a protein that, when activated, signals cancer cells to continually grow and survive. The study investigated prostate cancer biopsies or prostate cancer tissues obtained from surgery from 357 prostate cancer patients, and matched active Stat5 levels with outcome.
