CAG Repeat Number in the Androgen Receptor Gene and Prostate Cancer.

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Oncology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Prostate cancer (PC) is a significant cause of cancer mortality in men.
• Androgen receptor (AR) gene activity, influenced by CAG repeat length, plays a role in prostate tissue.
• The association between short AR gene CAG repeats and PC risk is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between short CAG repeat lengths in the AR gene and prostate cancer risk.
• To evaluate the effect of CAG repeat length on PC risk in Macedonian males.
• To explore correlations between CAG repeat length, Gleason score, and age at diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-control study involving 392 Macedonian males (134 PC patients, 106 BPH patients, 152 controls).
• CAG repeat length in exon 1 of the AR gene was analyzed using fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis (CE).
• Statistical analysis compared CAG repeat lengths and frequencies between PC patients, BPH patients, and general population controls.

Main Results:

• Mean CAG repeat length was significantly lower in PC patients (21.5 ± 2.65) compared to controls (22.28 ± 2.86, p = 0.009) and BPH patients (22.1 ± 2.52, p = 0.038).
• Short CAG repeats (<19) were more prevalent in PC patients (21.64%) than in BPH patients (9.43%, p = 0.0154).
• An association was found between short CAG repeats (<19) and lower Gleason scores (<7) in PC patients (p = 0.0306). No association was observed with age at diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Reduced CAG repeat length in the AR gene may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in Macedonian men.
• Short CAG repeats could potentially serve as a biomarker for prostate cancer susceptibility.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore clinical implications.