The findings, published in Cancer Discovery, evaluated the roles of inherited genetic factors passed down from our parents and somatic mutations acquired during tumor formation. The research shows that germline and somatic variability work together to initiate and drive progression of prostate cancer. This discovery could one day help improve how doctors predict and treat aggressive cancers.
"The interaction between inherited genetic factors and the timing of mutations in the tumor's DNA is central to understanding how prostate cancer evolves. We found that prostate cancer follows a common evolutionary path, with different tumors branching off depending on early genetic changes and an individual's inherited genetic background. Some tumors may become aggressive because of specific mutations, while others remain indolent. Both genetic randomness and inherited traits play a role in determining these outcomes."
