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UCL study could revolutionise treatment for prostate cancer

18 November 2003

The Bupa Foundation has awarded a grant of over £100,000 to a study by University College London that will trial a new less-invasive treatment for prostate cancer. It is thought it could have less effect on continence and potency than current treatments, and be delivered in an outpatient setting.

"If proved effective, photodynamic therapy could revolutionise the treatment of prostate cancer. There are currently a number of effective treatments, and survival rates are high, but they can have significant effects on continence and erectile function which negatively effect patients' quality of life," said Mrs Caroline Moore, clinical research fellow at UCL's National Medical Laser Centre.

Prostate cancer is now the most common form of male cancer, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics. Experts say the increase is due to better detection. Since the advent of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, prostate cancers are being detected at an early stage and in younger men.

The team from UCL will develop the technique for treating prostate cancer with photodynamic therapy in a safe and effective manner. Photodynamic therapy uses laser or other light sources combined with light sensitive drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs are injected into patients. Once in the body, the drugs are circulated to all tissues but do not start to work until activated by a laser or other light source. This light source is directed at the specific site of the cancer. It is currently used in the treatment of other cancers including those in the head and neck, lung and oesophagus.

"The results of our research could mark an important advance in the evaluation of photodynamic therapy for prostate cancer which could allow it to be a minimally invasive, repeatable treatment given in an outpatient setting to men of all ages," said Caroline Moore.