New hope as prostate cancer’s hidden enzymes may hold key to beating drug resistance

Cure for prostate cancer: Scientists caution that the current enzyme-blocking drugs need refining before they can be used safely in people. Some versions still affect healthy cells (Image: Pexels)

When a dull ache in the lower back, and frequent trips to the loo become the new normal in men, the signs can point to prostate cancer. It is a disease that starts in the prostate gland but can spread and become life-threatening if not caught early.

In a recent discovery, scientists from Australia’s Flinders University and South China University of Technology have found a hidden weakness inside prostate cancer cells, one that could make them self-destruct. The team discovered that prostate cancer cells rely on two enzymes, PDIA1 and PDIA5, to keep themselves alive. These enzymes act like bodyguards for the androgen receptor (AR), a protein that fuels the growth of prostate tumours. When the enzymes were blocked, the AR began to fall apart — and with it, the cancer cells.

In both lab experiments and mouse models, tumours shrank dramatically. Even better, when these enzyme blockers were used alongside an existing prostate cancer drug called enzalutamide, the results were even stronger. Professor Luke Selth from Flinders University said, “By targeting these enzymes, we can destabilise the AR and make tumours more vulnerable to existing therapies.”

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Lead researcher Professor Jianling Xie said the enzymes don’t just protect the AR, they also help cancer cells produce energy and survive stress. Once the enzymes are blocked, the cancer’s energy factories, known as mitochondria, begin to fail. This causes damage inside the cell, leaving it weak and defenceless. Dr Xie compared it to “cutting off both the fuel and the engine at the same time.”

Why this could change everything:

1. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men across the world.

2. Current treatments such as hormone therapy and AR-targeting drugs work well at first but often lose their effect as the cancer becomes resistant.

3. Researchers have identified two important enzymes, PDIA1 and PDIA5, that help the cancer cells survive and resist treatment.

4. When these enzymes are blocked, the cancer cells weaken, lose energy, and eventually die.

5. This approach can also make existing drugs, like enzalutamide, work better and for a longer time.

6. The discovery offers hope for developing new, stronger treatments for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Also read | Aggressive prostate cancer: Causes, symptoms, risk factors and prevention tips

While the results are promising, the scientists caution that the current enzyme-blocking drugs need refining before they can be used safely in people. Some versions still affect healthy cells, so the next step is designing safer, more selective treatments.

Even so, this discovery has sparked real optimism. It’s a glimpse into a future where prostate cancer’s secret defences can be turned against it, giving men a stronger fighting chance and doctors new tools to outsmart one of the toughest cancers around.

FAQs on Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

1. What are common symptoms of prostate cancer?

Common symptoms include a dull ache in the lower back and frequent urination.

2. How can prostate cancer be life-threatening?

If not detected early, prostate cancer can spread beyond the prostate gland and become life-threatening.

3. Are there new treatments being researched for prostate cancer?

Yes, scientists are exploring treatments that target enzymes PDIA1 and PDIA5, which are crucial for prostate cancer cell survival.

4. How do these new treatments work?

Blocking these enzymes destabilises the androgen receptor, causing cancer cells to weaken and die.

5. Can these new treatments enhance existing therapies?

Yes, combining enzyme blockers with existing drugs like enzalutamide can improve effectiveness and prolong their benefits.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.