A groundbreaking study led by University of Manchester scientists has identified genetic variants which make some patients more sensitive to radiation in specific parts of the rectum than others.
The knowledge could reduce the risk of severe bowel complications from radiotherapy, known as rectal toxicity, heralding a more personalised approach to prostate cancer treatment.
The study, funded by Prostate Cancer UK, is published in Clinical Cancer Research
The study was led by PhD researcher Artemis Bouzaki from The University of Manchester, who is also an honorary researcher at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Her approach is the first study to combine genetic data with detailed spatial maps of where radiation is delivered in the rectum.
Though scientists have already identified the lower posterior of the rectum as significant for rectal toxicities after prostate cancer radiotherapy, the study is the first to incorporate genetic information into the framework.
“Rectal toxicity is a significant concern for patients receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men and now the most common cancer in England,” she said.
“Although dose guidelines limit the overall rate of rectal toxicity to around 10%, bowel function nevertheless often deteriorates over the course of treatment and beyond.
“Some patients experience severe, persistent complications, such as incontinence, or rectal bleeding, permanently affecting their quality of life.”
