By Geraldine Ohonba
Health Page Columnist
A team of international researchers has uncovered a potential breakthrough in the fight against prostate cancer — one of the deadliest diseases affecting men globally. Scientists from China and Australia have identified two key proteins that act as “bodyguards” for prostate cancer cells, protecting them from damage and helping them thrive. Disabling these proteins, the researchers found, could make the cancer significantly easier to destroy.
The discovery was made through a collaboration between Professor Jianling Xie of the South China University of Technology and Professor Luke Selth of Flinders University in Australia. Their findings were published on October 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and were first reported by the South China Morning Post on October 21.
Unmasking the “Guardian Proteins” Behind Cancer Resistance
Prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer, is fueled primarily by male hormones known as androgens. These hormones activate a molecule called the androgen receptor (AR), which tells cancer cells to grow and divide.
The research team sought to understand why prostate cancer cells are so resilient to existing treatments. Through a unique laboratory technique known as a “protein fishing experiment,” they isolated the androgen receptor and identified two closely linked enzymes — PDIA1 and PDIA5 — that consistently moved alongside it.
According to Professor Xie, these two enzymes serve as protective shields for prostate cancer cells. “PDIA1 and PDIA5 act like molecular bodyguards,” he explained. “They protect cancer cells from oxidative stress and prevent damage to the mitochondria, which are essential for cellular energy and survival.”
Targeting the Proteins to Weaken Cancer Cells
Building on these insights, the team tested drugs known as PDI inhibitors, designed to block the activity of the PDIA1 and PDIA5 enzymes. The results were striking.
When the inhibitors were combined with conventional prostate cancer drugs, the anticancer effects doubled, weakening cancer cells more effectively than existing treatments alone. The experiments showed that blocking the enzymes disrupted cancer cell metabolism, leaving the cells more vulnerable to death.
Professor Selth emphasized the potential impact of these findings: “This discovery provides a crucial lead in developing targeted therapies. By focusing on the proteins that make cancer cells resilient, we can design drugs that are both more effective and less toxic.”
A Step Forward in the Global Battle Against Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer remains a major health concern worldwide. In the United States alone, one in eight men is diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime, with the risk increasing sharply after the age of 50. Prominent figures such as U.S. President Joe Biden have faced the disease — he was diagnosed with bone-metastatic prostate cancer earlier this year and is currently undergoing treatment involving radiation and hormone therapy.
Standard prostate cancer treatments, such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and chemotherapy, have improved survival rates. However, most patients eventually experience drug resistance, as cancer cells adapt and find new ways to grow. This cycle of remission and relapse has long challenged scientists and doctors alike.
The new findings offer a potential way to break that cycle. By targeting PDIA1 and PDIA5, researchers hope to prevent cancer cells from developing resistance in the first place.
Looking Ahead: From Lab Discovery to Patient Care
While the study’s results are promising, the researchers caution that more testing is needed before the therapy can move into clinical trials. Still, experts in the field have hailed the discovery as a major milestone in understanding the molecular defenses of prostate cancer.
“This research opens the door to a new generation of targeted cancer treatments,” said Professor Selth. “We’ve identified not just a weakness, but a potential Achilles’ heel of prostate cancer cells.”
The study’s success comes at a time when global awareness of prostate cancer is rising. Campaigns such as the Blue Ribbon initiative, run annually by the Korean Urological Association and similar organizations worldwide, continue to advocate for early detection, awareness, and research funding.
As scientists continue to explore the inner workings of cancer cells, discoveries like this bring renewed hope — that the fight against prostate cancer may soon see treatments that are not only more powerful but also smarter, safer, and more personal.
