Adipocyte markers as predictors of progression in men with prostate cancer

When a man presents with prostate cancer it is difficult to tell whether his cancer is aggressive and needs immediate treatment to prevent it growing and spreading, or whether it is likely to remain dormant and may never need treatment. Recent research has shown fat cells surrounding the prostate can stimulate tumour progression, and we have identified a panel of proteins released by cancer-associated fat cells that promote tumour survival, growth and spread. The overall aim of this study is to test this panel of proteins to see if they can be used to distinguish between dormant and aggressive prostate cancers, and ultimately help men with prostate cancer to undergo fewer unnecessary treatments.