Prostate Cancer

“PRX302 has the potential to revolutionize treatment
for the second deadliest cancer among men.”
Dr. Arthur Frankel
Director of Scott & White Cancer Research Institute,
Temple, Texas

In pre-clinical studies, PRX302 has been shown to selectively and potently kill PSA-producing cells without harming adjacent healthy tissues or organs. There remains a strong need for new minimally invasive therapies that are effective but have fewer side effects.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate begin to grow abnormally. Although several cell types are found in the prostate, over 99% of prostate cancers develop from glandular cells, which are responsible for making the seminal fluid. This type of prostate cancer is referred to as adenocarcinoma.

How Common is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in North American men. One in every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2006 about 234,500 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and over 27,000 men will die from the disease in the U.S. alone.

How is Prostate Cancer Detected?

Prostate cancer can often be detected early either through a digital rectal exam or by testing the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) during a routine blood test. Abnormal or suspect results would lead to confirmatory diagnostic tests such as a biopsy.

What are the Current Treatments for Prostate Cancer?

Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment options can vary. For localized prostate cancer (those cases where the cancer remains confined to the prostate) treatments include radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation and brachytherapy, a procedure in which small radioactive pellets are implanted into the prostate to irradiate the cancer from within the organ. Unfortunately, serious side effects such as impotence, urinary and bowel problems, are associated with all currently available therapies.