Molecular Mechanisms of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Globally, prostate cancer is the fourth most common cancer type. Five year survival rates for primary localised disease are high, however these figures decrease significantly with the onset of metastasis. Obesity and inflammation have been shown to play significant roles in prostate cancer disease progression, with obesity and a high body mass index associated with increased prostate cancer-specific mortality in patients with metastatic disease. Circulating tumour cells, are cells thought to shed off the primary tumour and extravasate, forming metastatic lesions. The method by which they extravasate undetected is thought to be due in part by ?platelet cloaking? of the circulating tumour cells. A pro-inflammatory microenvironment may also aid metastatic potential and promote angiogenesis. The ExPeCT trial aimed to examine the effectiveness of a structured exercise programme on modulating circulating tumour cells, platelet cloaking, inflammatory mediators and obesity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer and to improve the lives of patients living with this disease.