University of Maryland Medical Scientists Achieve the First Effective Chemotherapy that Terminates “Androgen-Independent” Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Patients with “androgen-independent” prostate cancer have a life expectancy generally up to 5 years;and no available effective chemotherapy. University of Maryland Medical Center scientists, Dr. Leslie Costello and Dr. Renty Franklin, identified prolactin as the cause of the malignancy; and established the first chemotherapy that terminates the malignancy. This is the culmination of pioneering research in prostate cancer since 1975. Other patients have an effective available chemotherapy.

University of Maryland Medical Scientists Achieve the First Effective Chemotherapy that Terminates “Androgen-Independent” Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Dr. Leslie C. Costello, University of Maryland Medical Center scientist, was recently requested to participate as the consulting collaborator on a case of a patient with terminal “androgen-independent” prostate cancer. The patient was initially diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which included lymph node metastasis. The initiation and progression of the prostate malignancy is promoted primarily by testosterone; and is described as “androgen-dependent” malignancy. The patient received treatment with hormonal androgen ablation; along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The intent of this treatment was to attenuate the progressing malignancy; and extend the life of the patient. However, the treatment leads to the development of the untreatable terminal prostate cancer known as “androgen-independent” malignancy; and the patient had an expected survival of 2 years. The cause of this malignancy had been unknown, which has made it difficult to establish an effective chemotherapy.

Dr. Costello and his colleague, Dr Renty B. Franklin, have been engaged in prostate research since 1975; which led to their recent discovery that the hormone, prolactin, initiates the development and progression of androgen-independent malignancy. That information provided the basis for their effective chemotherapy that suppresses the level of prolactin in the blood; and terminates the malignancy. After 8 weeks of their treatment, the patient’s plasma prolactin concentration decreased 88%, and he no longer exhibited prostate gland malignancy and metastasis. This is the first reported case of a patient who received a treatment that successfully terminated androgen-independent prostate cancer. 

Prostate cancer accounts for about 165,000 cases/year with 25,000 deaths/year in the U.S.; and 1.0 million cases/year with 260,00 deaths/year worldwide. Most of the deaths are due to advanced prostate cancer; which includes androgen-independent malignancy. Dr. Costello adds that it will be important to determine if their treatment will be effective in other patients with terminal androgen-independent malignancy. 

Dr. Costello and Dr. Franklin are Professors in the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry; and in the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Costello and Dr. Franklin are included among the worldwide top 5% biomedical scientists.

Article prepared on 03/20/2019 by:

Leslie C. Costello, PhD.
lcostello@umaryland.edu.

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Media Contact
Company Name: University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences; and the University of Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Center
Contact Person: Leslie C. Costello
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Phone: 4107067618
City: Baltimore
State: MD
Country: United States
Website: https://www.umms.org/ummc