Recent research has identified a mutation in the WNT9B gene that substantially elevates the risk of prostate cancer in men with a family history of the disease. The WNT9B gene plays a crucial role in embryonic prostate development, and its mutated form has now been linked to adult prostate cancer.

The study’s findings were replicated across five independent populations, encompassing approximately 500,000 patients from the United States and Europe. The increased risk associated with the WNT9B mutation ranged from two- to twelve-fold, underscoring its significance as a high-risk factor.

This discovery adds WNT9B to the list of established high-risk prostate cancer genes, which includes HOXB13, the 8q24 locus, and BRCA2. Notably, the risk conferred by the WNT9B mutation is comparable to that of pathogenic mutations in breast cancer genes that are routinely tested in clinical settings.

Understanding the presence of inherited mutations like WNT9B can guide the selection of effective treatments and has broader implications for affected families. Future research aims to explore how such mutations, whether inherited or acquired, may influence clinical outcomes, paving the way for tailored precision care in prostate cancer treatment.

This significant advancement in genetic research offers new insights into prostate cancer risk assessment and highlights the importance of genetic screening in individuals with a family history of the disease.

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