Researchers from the University of Sheffield are the first to discover a new form of immunotherapy for prostate cancer.
This means that men with prostate cancer could be given more time before their cancer becomes resistant to hormone therapy.
Androgen deprivation therapy is often used to limit the growth and spread of cancer, but sometimes, tumours develop resistance to the treatment, meaning the cancer spreads and becomes uncurable.
Immunotherapy has been successful for many cancers, but that hasn’t yet been the case for prostate cancer.
However, researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered the reason for this, meaning new treatment can now be developed with those findings in mind.
We spoke to Professor Claire Lewis, from the University of Sheffield’s, School of Medicine and Population Health, who led the study. 
She said: “My research team has worked hard over the past 5 years to design and test a potential new immunotherapy for prostate cancer. This type of cancer doesn’t usually respond well to conventional forms of immunotherapy.
“But we now have a new way to unleash the formidable ability of immune cells in prostate tumours to kill cancer cells.”
Claire and her colleagues used nanoparticles to deliver a drug to a type of white blood cell called a macrophage.
This then expresses a immunostimulant called interferon-beta; once this is released inside tumours, it provokes other immune cells to kill the cancer cells.
The study found that this “markedly” delays resistance to the therapy.
Claire said: “We are now working with our clinical colleagues to explore ways to take this forward into clinical trials as soon as possible.”
In terms of what this means for the future of those who suffer with prostate cancer, she said: “It could herald the start of new, more effective treatments”.
Over 12,000 men die from prostate cancer each year in the UK, and up until now only a small number of men responded well to treatment.
We spoke to Professor John Flint, Deputy Vice-President for research, to hear what he had to say about this groundbreaking discovery.
He said: “Sheffield’s cancer research has always been a prominent part of what the university does and I think some of the key elements to that are its research that is conducted, not just in our faculty of health but across other faculties and disciplines.”
He added: “I think a big thing for us is not just the breakthrough in the science itself, it’s the potential positive impact that has on society more widely.”
John emphasised co-production research at the University of Sheffield as a key factor in ensuring that partners are involved in all elements of the process.
He said: “Hopefully, that means that the final outcomes of the research, like Claire and colleagues have done, is already lined up to be the most useful and directly relevant to the people who benefit from it.”
The study was funded by Prostate Cancer UK, as part of their Research Innovation Awards programme.
John also explained that research would not be able to go ahead without funding from external bodies, saying it ‘provides capacity to hire researchers, to buy the necessary equipment and technology’.
Amy Artajos, studying Medicine at the University of Sheffield, expressed how she felt about this, which she called a “major advancement in prostate cancer treatment”.
She said: “I feel incredibly grateful to be studying at a university with a research strategy towards cancer treatment. Knowing that professionals here are pioneering advancements in immunotherapy and cancer treatment is both inspiring and motivating.
“It reinforces my desire to contribute to such innovations in the future and utilise this knowledge in my career.”
She told us that as a medical student, research like this ‘reinforces the importance of innovation in medicine.’
She added: “I hope to contribute to similar breakthroughs and incorporate similar research into my own practice, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare.”
Written by Casey Peyton
