Prostate Biology Group (PBG)

The PBG was formed in 1995 at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in order to address the national problem of a inadequate research framework for research into prostate diseases in the UK. It was established under the leadership of Professor El-Nasir Lalani and Mr PD Abel. It is now based at The Aga Khan University (E-N Lalani) and Imperial College London (P D Abel) and the two groups continue towork together.

Amongst its achievements, the most important scientifically are the identification of high levels of the proteins cyclooxygenase-2 and MUC1 mucin in the development and progression of prostate cancer as well as unravelling the alternative signalling mechanisms in cancers which continue to grow in the absence of testosterone. Clinically, the benefits of using oestrogen patches for advanced prostate cancer and the potential of high intensity focused ultrasound as a non-invasive way of treating cancer with heat stand out.