Oxford researchers identify blood proteins linked to prostate cancer risk

Researchers at Oxford Population Health have identified specific blood proteins that can predict the development of prostate cancer, including aggressive forms, more than a decade before diagnosis. The study, published in European Urology, represents the largest population-based investigation of its kind.

By analyzing over 6,000 proteins in blood samples from nearly 2,600 men and following them for approximately 16 years, scientists identified 12 proteins linked to future prostate cancer diagnoses. One protein, GZMK, is produced by immune cells that destroy abnormal cells, suggesting the immune system may play a role in managing the disease long before clinical detection.

The study also pinpointed seven proteins associated with aggressive prostate cancer. Notably, the protein ANKRD1 was consistently linked to serious forms of the disease, including those that spread or were fatal. These findings aim to help identify high-risk individuals and better understand why certain cancers become life-threatening.