The Thoc1 ribonucleoprotein and prostate cancer progression

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Distinguishing aggressive from indolent prostate cancer is challenging, leading to overtreatment.
• THOC1, a nuclear ribonucleoprotein, is overexpressed in some cancers.
• The role of THOC1 as a prostate cancer biomarker is uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate THOC1 as a potential biomarker for aggressive prostate cancer.
• To determine if THOC1 expression correlates with prostate cancer aggressiveness and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• THOC1 protein expression was assessed via immunostaining in over 700 human prostate cancer specimens.
• Thoc1 function was evaluated in an autochthonous mouse model by conditional gene deletion.
• Statistical analyses correlated THOC1 levels with clinical variables and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• THOC1 protein levels positively correlated with higher Gleason scores and advanced Tumor/Node/Metastasis (TNM) stage.
• High THOC1 expression was significantly associated with shorter time to biochemical recurrence.
• Thoc1 deletion inhibited prostate cancer progression in mice, with minimal impact on normal tissue.

Conclusions:

• THOC1 is essential for aggressive prostate cancer progression, supporting unique gene expression needs.
• Elevated THOC1 protein in human prostate cancer signifies aggressiveness and recurrence risk.
• THOC1 protein serves as a functionally relevant biomarker to identify aggressive prostate cancer, potentially reducing overtreatment.