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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Serum and Plasma Copy Number Detection Using Real-time PCR
Published on: December 15, 2017
DNA copy number alterations in prostate cancers: a combined analysis of published CGH studies
Jishan Sun1, Wennuan Liu, Tamara S Adams
1Center for Human Genomics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
Background:
Identifying genomic regions that are commonly deleted or gained in neoplastic cells is an important approach to identify tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. Studies in the last two decades have identified a number of common DNA copy number alterations in prostate cancer. However, because of various sample sizes, diverse tumor types and sources, as well as a variety of detection methods with various sensitivities and resolutions, it is difficult to summarize and fully interpret the overall results.
Methods:
We performed a combined analysis of all published comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) studies of prostate cancer and estimated the frequency of alterations across the genome for all tumors, as well as in advanced and localized tumors separately. A total of 41 studies examining 872 cancers were included in this study.
Results:
The frequency of deletions and gains were estimated in all tumors, as well as in advanced and localized tumors. Eight deleted and five gained regions were found in more than 10% of the prostate tumors. An additional six regions were commonly deleted and seven were commonly gained in advanced tumors. While 8p was the most common location of deletion, occurring in about a third of all tumors and about half of advanced tumors, 8q was the most commonly gained region, affecting about a quarter of all tumors and about half of all advanced tumors.
Conclusions:
The large number of tumors examined in this combined analysis provides better estimates of the frequency of specific alterations in the prostate cancer cell genome, and offers important clues for prioritizing efforts to identify tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in these altered regions.
Insights
This study combined 41 prostate cancer studies to identify common genomic alterations. Key findings highlight specific deleted (e.g., 8p) and gained (e.g., 8q) regions in tumors, aiding oncogene and tumor suppressor gene discovery.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Cancer Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Identifying genomic alterations is crucial for discovering tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes.
- Previous prostate cancer studies have limitations due to sample size, tumor diversity, and varied detection methods.
- Synthesizing existing data is challenging but necessary for comprehensive interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a combined analysis of published comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) studies in prostate cancer.
- To estimate the frequency of genomic copy number alterations across the genome.
- To differentiate alterations in advanced versus localized prostate tumors.
Main Methods:
- Combined analysis of 41 published CGH studies.
- Inclusion of 872 prostate cancer cases.
- Estimation of alteration frequencies for all tumors, and separately for advanced and localized tumors.
Main Results:
- Identified eight commonly deleted and five commonly gained regions in over 10% of prostate tumors.
- Found six additional deleted and seven gained regions specific to advanced tumors.
- 8p deletions (approx. 1/3 tumors, 1/2 advanced) and 8q gains (approx. 1/4 tumors, 1/2 advanced) were most frequent.
Conclusions:
- This large-scale meta-analysis provides robust estimates of prostate cancer genomic alterations.
- The findings offer critical insights for prioritizing genes in frequently altered regions.
- Results facilitate the identification of novel tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in prostate cancer.
