NTU Undergraduates' research April 2014 - Biosciences | Página 104

Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies found in males. Recent years have brought
about a notable increase in diagnosis which has primarily been attributed to the popular use of PSA
testing. In order to maximise diagnosis and patient survival early and accurate diagnosis must be seen
on the horizon.
A number of known risk factors have been attributed to an increased likelihood of developing prostate
cancer that include age, ethnicity, family history and a growing consensus of human diet. The role of
individual carcinogens are very much under debate due to the multifocal and heterogenic fashion of
prostate cancer. In this review, recent findings regarding the core signalling pathways that play a
potential role in prostate cancer have been summarized, with special attention to key mutations in
some pathway molecules. This being said a more in depth understanding of triggers and molecular
pathways are needed. Current literature has presented a number of reoccurring pathways that are
thought to be indicative of prostate cancer; these being the IGF pathway, MAPK pathway and heavy
association with the androgen pathway.
A viral link to prostate cancer has been very controversial with heavy dispute in causation. Associations
have most prominently been made with HPV and XMRV virus however limitations and inconsistencies
in results have made it difficult to come to a conclusive end point. Future investigations into the link of
virus oncogenesis and prostate cancer could hold important insight into new treatments and
prevention of this disease.