Antibiotic may also work as prostate cancer treatment.

A Finnish research group has identified the antibiotic monensin as a potent killer of prostate cancer cells.  The antibiotic was shown to induce cell death (apoptosis) of cancer cells but not normal cells.  The antibiotic seems to work in several ways to target the cells. Treatments induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in the cells and also inhibited the production of a receptor needed for the prostate cells to respond to androgens like testosterone.  Monensin has been used for years by ranchers to increase muscle mass in cattle and should have few side-effects if used to treat cancer in humans.