SCIENTISTS at the University of York have made a major breakthrough in the fight against prostate cancer.

For the first time researchers have discovered how to isolate the "root" of the cancer, which could have major implications for thousands of sufferers.

Internationally-renowned scientist Professor Norman Maitland, Yorkshire Cancer Research's (YCR) Professor of Molecular Biology, called the breakthrough the "most exciting thing I have seen in ten years".

Prof Maitland, who worked on the project with Dr Anne Collins, will now look at developing therapies for treating stem cells to stop them regenerating.

A university spokesman explained the process: "Think of prostate cancer as a dandelion in a lawn - pull the leaves off the weed and the root still remains, allowing it to regenerate.

"Existing therapies for treating prostate cancer adopt a similar approach, attacking the leaves rather than the root, resulting in the disease recurring, often within two years."

But now Prof Maitland's team have discovered how to isolate the root - tumour stem cells - which make up one in 1,000 of cancer cells.

He said: "For the first time we have been able to extract these stem cells from prostate cancers and we are the only people in the world who have been able to propagate them in the laboratory.

"These cells are difficult to see, but Dr Collins has found some clever ways of identifying them. It's the most exciting thing I have seen in ten years, but we don't want to give people false hope because the therapies for treating tumour stem cells have still to be developed.

"We are beginning to understand what they look like. We can now investigate specific therapies for killing the 'roots' rather than the 'leaves' of prostate cancers."

Prof Maitland praised Yorkshire Cancer Research for "taking the risk" in letting them do the work.

Dr Collins, from Fulford, who has worked in cancer research for 15 years, said: "It could offer much better treatment options for patients, but that is way down the line. It's the first step on a long road."

Elaine King, chief executive of Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "This latest discovery will allow YCR scientists to build upon this framework of knowledge, in the hope of developing effective treatments in the future."

Facts on prostate cancer

What is prostate cancer?

Cells in the prostate start to divide and grow out of the normal pattern. They grow into lumpy bundles of cells called tumours, which disrupt the normal function of the prostate, and cells that come free from the tumour can travel elsewhere in the body, and begin to grow tumours there.

How many men does it affect?

Every year more than 30,000 men are diagnosed with the disease and 10,000 men die from it. Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK - every hour at least one man dies from this disease.

Updated: 09:41 Saturday, December 03, 2005