Protein Marker May Predict Prostate Cancer Recurrence

USC researchers have found a protein marker that can help predict when localized prostate cancer is likely to return after treatment. Dr. Richard J. Cote and his colleagues studied levels of the protein, called p27, in tumor cells removed from 96 men.

They report in today’s Journal of the National Cancer Institute that men with the highest levels of p27 were the least likely to have a recurrence. The probability of remaining alive after nine years was 92% for those with the highest levels of p27, 79% for those with moderate levels and only 49% for those with low levels.

Compiled by Times medical writer Thomas H. Maugh II