Emerging biological observations in prostate cancer
1UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1600 Divisadero Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. shreya.shah@ucsf.edu
Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy
|December 18, 2009
Summary
Prostate cancer research reveals new insights into androgen receptor (AR) signaling and the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene. Understanding these mechanisms offers potential for improved prostate cancer prevention, detection, and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Prostate cancer progression is linked to androgen receptor (AR) signaling, even in cases considered androgen-independent.
- The TMPRSS2:ERG chromosomal rearrangement, a fusion gene, is a common molecular event in approximately 50% of prostate cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging biological observations in prostate cancer.
- To discuss mechanisms of androgen receptor (AR) signaling and the role of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion.
- To explore novel approaches for prostate cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on prostate cancer biology.
- Analysis of mechanisms driving AR reactivation in recurrent prostate tumors.
- Examination of the role of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion in prostate cancer development and progression.
Main Results:
- Prostate cancers, even when termed androgen-independent, rely on AR signaling.
- Multiple mechanisms contribute to AR reactivation in recurrent prostate tumors.
- The TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene appears to play an early role in prostate cancer development and/or progression.
Conclusions:
- Emerging biological observations in prostate cancer, particularly AR signaling and TMPRSS2:ERG fusion, offer opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the association between the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion transcript and prostate cancer aggressiveness.
