Scientists say they have uncovered genetic "footprints" responsible for 85 per cent of prostate cancers, offering vital insights into why the disease turns fatal in some men.
Describing the findings as "hugely exciting", experts said the discovery might eventually ensure high-risk cancers are detected sooner, enabling men to receive more personalised treatment options.
For the new study, published in the journal Nature, researchers evaluated tumour tissue samples provided by 959 men.
In total, scientists identified eight distinct genetic "footprints" that explain approximately 85% of prostate cancer cases.
Crucially, four of these "integrated mutational footprints" were associated with aggressive tumours that were more prone to spreading outside of the prostate.
The new study, from the Pan Prostate Cancer Group (PPCG) – a global consortium which has now collected molecular data on more than 2,000 prostate cancers, also found other footprints were linked to age and ancestry, including patterns that were more common in black men.
The research team said the next step is to use the findings to develop and test classification systems for prostate cancer tumours using molecular information.
This could in turn help identify aggressive cancers sooner and help guide personalised treatment decisions, they added.
“Ultimately, we hope this knowledge will lead to better tests, earlier identification of high-risk cancers and more personalised care, so that more patients receive the right treatment at the right time.”
Source: The Independent, 9 September 2026
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