UK researchers have identified a gene associated with aggressive prostate cancer, which may lead to the development of a genetic test to identify those at risk of the condition.

The identification of prostate cancer currently involves the measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels - higher than normal levels may indicate development of the disease. However, elevated PSA levels may also be caused by other conditions, such as an inflamed prostate gland, which may result in unnecessary biopsies for some men.

However, researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and the University of Liverpool have identified a gene called E2F3, which is linked to aggressive prostate cancer, and are aiming to develop a genetic screening test that may help reduce the number of men who needlessly undergo prostate biopsies, which can sometimes lead to complications.

Lead researcher Professor Colin Hooper said: “Now we know that the E2F3 gene is implicated in prostate cancer and that it is key in determining how aggressive the cancer is, we hope to develop such a test in the next five years.”

The team used a staining technique to screen tissue samples taken from healthy and cancerous prostates for the E2F3 protein, which has previously been implicated in the progression of cancer of the bladder. They found that none of the healthy prostate cells contained the gene protein, but was present in 67% of prostate cancer cells, particularly in the more aggressive cancer cells.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in New Orleans, Louisiana, Professor Hooper and his team suggest that over-expression of the gene could lead to abnormal cell growth and tumour development.

Professor Peter Rigby, chief executive at the Institute of Cancer Research, said: “A rapid and immediate expansion of our research in this area is required, so that our scientific advances can be translated in to patient benefit without delay.”

The research is published in an early online edition of the journal Oncogene.