UCL in the News: Prostate cancer mutant gene found

The researchers hope the breakthrough will lead to the development of drugs which target the mutation and stop the cancer spreading. …

Dr Magali Williamson, who led the team at the Prostate Cancer Research Centre at UCL, said: "We have identified mutations in a gene that helps to control cell movement. We believe that the cancer cells have hijacked this gene to help them spread.

"We found mutations in nearly half of the cancers restricted to the prostate, and nearly all the ones that have spread, suggesting that the mutations might be helping the cancer cells spread." …

Professor John Masters, a specialist at the centre, said: "If we could switch off this gene with drugs we might prevent its spread and save lives."

Gary Cleland, 'The Daily Telegraph'