Prostate Cancer

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation,  prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting 1 in 6 men. The older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although only 1 in 10,000 under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 39 for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 14 for ages 60 to 69. In fact, more than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65.

Development and progression of the disease is monitored using a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.  Once patients are diagnosed, there are several options: active surveillance, radiation therapy, or prostatectomy.  These options are based on the likelihood the tumor will become metastatic and spread.  However, predicting the likelihood of metastasis is difficult. 

Through a collaboration with the University of Michigan, Metabolon has discovered several biochemical biomarkers which can distinguish normal patients with benign prostate cancer from patients with metastatic cancer.  These results are being incorporated into Metabolon's Prostarix™  diagnostic test for cancer metastasis.

Additional Resources

Applications of Metabolomics in Drug Discovery and Development

Much Ado About Molecules

Betting on Biomarkers: Researchers Aim for the Clinic