Dr. Mason on Next Steps Following 10-Year PROTECT Study Data in Prostate Cancer

Malcolm Mason, MD, Cancer Research Wales Professor of Clinical Oncology at Cardiff University, discusses next steps following the 10-year PROTECT study data for patients with prostate cancer.

The PROTECT study has a median follow-up of 10 years, but according to Mason, it is important to know what happens to these patients at 15 and 20 years as well. Patients have an excellent prognosis on this study, but further follow-up is essential, says Mason. There were prostate cancer deaths in this study, so there needs to be a better way of identifying those patients and finding the optimal treatment for them, he adds.

Using the same treatment as a blanket therapy for all men with prostate cancer is the wrong approach, Mason says. A more targeted approach is needed in the future.