New cancer treatment trialled in UK

The Institute of Cancer Research has found abiraterone could treat up to 80 per cent of patients with aggressive prostrate cancer - which was previously resistant to treatment by drugs and usually fatal.

A clinical trial carried out by the institute and the Royal Marsden Hospital discovered the drug caused significant shrinkage in tumours and falls in the prostate-specific antigen which is linked to the cancer - spelling hope for the 10,000 men diagnosed with the most aggressive form of condition each year.

We hope that abiraterone will eventually offer them real hope of an effective way of managing their condition and prolonging their lives

Dr Johann de Bono

Lead Researcher

The Institute of Cancer Research

Dr Johann de Bono, Lead Researcher on the trial, commented: "These men have very aggressive prostate cancer which is exceptionally difficult to treat and almost always proves to be fatal.”

"We hope that abiraterone will eventually offer them real hope of an effective way of managing their condition and prolonging their lives" added de Bono.

Earlier this month, the Institute of Cancer Research suggested drug-resistant forms of prostrate cancer could be the result of two genes pairing up.

The discovery could help to develop improved ways to diagnose and treat the condition.