United States: Among patients who receive radiation therapy for prostate cancer, some men may develop uncomfortable urinary issues, as reported by HealthDay.
The new genetic test demonstrates the promising ability to determine which patients face elevated urinary side effects risk during radiation therapy, according to recent research findings.
A Personalized Approach to Safer Cancer Treatment
The PROSTOX test, a new genetic test, demonstrated a successful ability to determine which men will experience urinary complications after receiving radiation cancer treatment, according to scientists who published their findings in Clinical Cancer Research.
“We’ve always known that some men develop these life-altering side effects that they will carry through the remainder of their lives, but until now, we didn’t have a way to predict who,” said senior researcher Dr. Joanne Weidhaas, vice chair of molecular and cellular oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
“What makes PROSTOX different is that it looks at a patient’s unique genetics to estimate their personal risk of developing side effects from radiation,” she said in a news release.“This helps doctors and patients choose the safest treatment and avoid unnecessary toxicities.”
New study published in @CCR_AACR, led by @AmarUKishan & @JoanneWeidhaas, validates a first-of-its-kind genetic test that predicts which prostate cancer patients are most likely to develop long-term urinary side effects from radiation therapy.
— UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (@UCLAHealthJCCC) April 7, 2025
More here: https://t.co/FLguimjUBu
Radiation therapy for the prostate often causes bladder irritation, which leads to urinary incontinence as well as increased urination needs and painful urination, states the American Cancer Society. Treatment-related risks remain minimal soon after therapy; however, they gradually increase during successive post-treatment years.
Weidhass, alongside her team, previously found that selected inherited genetic differences could foretell side effect possibilities.
How PROSTOX Works
They created PROSTOX as a tool to examine 32 unique genetic factors connected to radiation treatment side effects. The preliminary research revealed high-risk prostate cancer patients determined by the new genetic test developed urinary side effects approximately 10 to 12 times more often The preliminary research revealed high-risk prostate cancer patients determined by the test developed urinary side effects approximately 10 to 12 times more often.
Real-World Testing with Promising Results
The study team conducted a new evaluation of PROSTOX with 148 patients who received stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatment for their prostate cancer. A specific radiation therapy called SBRT delivers treatment to patients across only five distinct sessions.A specific radiation therapy called SBRT delivers treatment to patients across only five distinct sessions.
The test successfully identified which male patients would experience urinary complications after receiving radiation therapy during the long-term post-treatment period.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Side Effects
The study distinguished genetic patterns between late urinary side effects that resolved themselves and side effects that appeared right after treatment and persisted permanently.
Study researchers indicated that these two types of side effects have distinct causes since their development follows different timelines.
According to researchers, late-coming urinary symptoms are linked with immune system problems and ongoing inflammation, yet persistent effects stem from radiation technology used in treatment.
“This genre of genetic testing combined with advanced radiation therapy techniques will help personalize treatment for prostate cancer patients, mitigate the risk of serious genitourinary side effects, as well as give doctors and patients important information to make the best and safest treatment choices,” researcher Dr. Michael Steinberg said in a news release. He’s chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
The research team intends to validate PROSTOX with increased patient numbers while simultaneously exploring such prognostic genetic testing for additional cancer-related side effects, as reported by HealthDay.
“With further research, we hope to apply these genetic insights across cancer care,” Weidhaas said. “Ultimately, we want patients to survive cancer and live well after treatment.”
