Five Inherited Genetic Variants Linked to the Most Lethal Prostate Cancers, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Study

An international team of researchers led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has identified five inherited genetic variants that are strongly associated with aggressive, lethal prostate cancer. The discovery ultimately could lead to the development of a simple blood test that could be given upon diagnosis to determine which men should receive aggressive treatment versus a more conservative "watchful waiting" approach. The findings, by Janet L. Stanford, Ph.D., co-director of the Hutchinson Center's Program in Prostate Cancer Research and a member of its Public Health Sciences Division, are published online Aug. 16 ahead of the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.