Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the commonest forms of cancer in men. In 1997 there were over 8,500 deaths in England and Wales from prostate cancer.

Animal studies of the drug goserelin, originally being investigated as a possible fertility treatment, showed that it suppresses the body's release of hormones that increase prostate tumour growth. This effect was unexpected and was unlikely to have been recognised except through experiments on animals. Further animal studies were needed to work out the best way for people to be given this medicine, since it is inactivated in the stomach when taken by mouth. A long-lasting injection, which gradually releases the medicine over 28 days, was developed in rats.

As a result of this research, not only has an effective medicine against prostate (and possibly breast) cancer been developed, but also an important new drug delivery system.

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Tags

Research Fields: Cancer research, Drugs & toxins(yes - 2 items)

Animals Used: Rat(required - 1 items)