[Diagnostic molecular biology in prostatic cancer]

Studies of molecular genetic changes in prostate carcinomas are slowly improving our understanding of the biological process which leads to a normal prostate epithelial cell becoming an adenocarcinoma cell with invasive and metastatic properties. Carriers of germ-line mutations in still unidentified prostate cancer susceptibility genes, one of which has been localised to chromosome arm lq, seem to be particularly prone to develop the disease. The susceptibility genes have to be identified and the effects of carrier detection evaluated before genetic testing for prostate cancer predisposition can be performed in a clinical setting. The identification of specific molecular genetic changes in prostate carcinomas may become clinically useful diagnostic and prognostic tools. An improved understanding of the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the development of prostate cancer may eventually yield novel therapeutic strategies, attacking specific genetic changes in the prostate carcinomas.