Molecular alterations associated with prostate cancer.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Increasing knowledge of prostate cancer pathways and genetic alterations.
• Cell proliferation is controlled by molecular signaling pathways, often disturbed in cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the main genetic alterations, mutations, and pathways involved in prostate cancer development.
• To provide a foundation for clinical practice and research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS databases.
• Keywords included prostate neoplasms, prostate cancer, molecular medicine, genomics, pathways, and cell cycle.

Main Results:

• Prostate cancer development is linked to alterations in tumor suppressor genes (e.g., TP53, RB1), oncogenes, and CDKIs.
• Other mechanisms include DNA methylation, chromosomal alterations, PTEN/PI3K/mTOR pathway changes, apoptosis defects, androgen receptor alterations, and epigenetic modifications.

Conclusions:

• A review of key genetic alterations, mutations, and pathways in prostate cancer was conducted.
• Basic knowledge of these mechanisms is essential for informed clinical practice and research approaches.