Cell-of-origin for prostate cancer discovered

UCLA scientists have identified for the first time a cell-of-origin for human prostate cancer. According study team opinion,  this discovery could result in better predictive and diagnostics tools and the development of new and more effective targeted treatments for the disease.

UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers proved that basal cells found in benign prostate tissue could become human prostate cancer in mice with suppressed immune systems, a finding that bucks conventional wisdom.

The study appears July 30, 2010 in the peer-reviewed journal Science.