A groundbreaking study led by UCL researchers demonstrates that the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier test can predict which metastatic prostate cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy with docetaxel, paving the way for more personalized treatment strategies.

This test, already in use in the US for localized prostate cancer, now has robust clinical evidence from a randomized trial supporting its application in guiding treatment for metastatic cases, as published in the journal Cell.

The research identified a molecular signature related to the inactivity of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN, which predicts shorter survival with hormone therapy but greater benefit from chemotherapy, further refining treatment personalization.

Analyzing data from 1,532 patients in the STAMPEDE trial with a median follow-up of 14 years, the study found that patients with high Decipher scores experienced a 36% reduction in the risk of death when treated with docetaxel, while those with lower scores saw minimal benefit.

Experts highlight that this advancement will enable clinicians to tailor chemotherapy more effectively, avoiding unnecessary side effects for patients unlikely to benefit, thus improving overall outcomes.

The research was supported by charities, industry, and academia, including Prostate Cancer UK and Movember, and was part of the STAMPEDE trial funded by Cancer Research UK, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind this breakthrough.

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer in England, causing around 12,000 deaths annually, mainly in advanced or metastatic stages, making improved prediction of treatment benefit crucial for survival.

This study exemplifies the collaboration between UCL and Veracyte, which combines tumor profiling expertise with clinical trial data to develop molecular classifiers that can predict treatment outcomes more accurately.

Experts believe that this breakthrough will lead to the reclassification of prostate cancer into molecular groups, enabling more effective, individualized treatments and significantly improving patient outcomes.