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Raina K, Kant R, Prasad RR, Kandhari K, Tomar M, Mishra N, Kumar R, Fox JT, Sei S, Shoemaker RH, Chen Y, Maroni P, Agarwal C, Agarwal R. Characterization of stage-specific tumor progression in TMPRSS2-ERG (fusion)-driven and non-fusion-driven prostate cancer in GEM models. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:717-734. [PMID: 35452553 PMCID: PMC10007524 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we performed a comparative stage-specific pathological and molecular marker evaluation of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and PTEN loss-driven (TMPRSS2-ERG. Ptenflox/flox ) versus non-fusion-driven prostate tumorigenesis (Hi-Myc) in mice. Anterior, ventral, and dorsolateral prostates were collected from mice at different ages (or time points post-Cre induction). Results indicated that growth and progression of prostatic intraepithelial lesions to adenocarcinoma stages occurred in both mice models albeit at different rates. In the TMPRSS2-ERG. Ptenflox/flox mice, the initiation of tumorigenesis was slow, but subsequent progression through different stages became increasingly faster. Adenocarcinoma stage was reached early on; however, no high-grade undifferentiated tumors were observed. Conversely, in the Hi-Myc+/- mice, tumorigenesis initiation was rapid; however, progression through different stages was relatively slower and it took a while to reach the more aggressive phenotype stage. Nevertheless, at the advanced stages in the Hi-Myc+/- mice, high-grade undifferentiated tumors were observed compared to the later stage tumors observed in the fusion-driven TMPRSS2-ERG. Ptenflox/flox mice. These results were corroborated by the stage specific-pattern in the molecular expression of proliferation markers (PCNA and c-Myc); androgen receptor (AR); fusion-resultant overexpression of ERG; Prostein (SLC45-A3); and angiogenesis marker (CD-31). Importantly, there was a significant increase in immune cell infiltrations, which increased with the stage of tumorigenesis, in the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive tumors relative to fusion negative tumors. Together, these findings are both novel and highly significant in establishing a working preclinical model for evaluating the efficacy of interventions during different stages of tumorigenesis in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-driven PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Raina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA
| | - Rama Kant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ram R Prasad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kushal Kandhari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Munendra Tomar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Neha Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Robin Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA
| | - Jennifer T Fox
- Division of Cancer Prevention, Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Shizuko Sei
- Division of Cancer Prevention, Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert H Shoemaker
- Division of Cancer Prevention, Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paul Maroni
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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2
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Characterize the difference between TMPRSS2-ERG and non-TMPRSS2-ERG fusion patients by clinical and biological characteristics in prostate cancer. Gene 2018; 679:186-194. [PMID: 30195632 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion were frequently found in prostate cancer, and thought to play some fundamental mechanisms for the development of prostate cancer. However, until now, the clinical and prognostic significance of TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion was not fully understood. In this study, based on the 281 prostate cancers that constructed from a historical watchful waiting cohort, the statistically significant associations between TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion and clinicopathologic characteristics were identified. In addition, the Elastic Net algorithm was used to predict the patients with TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status, and good predictive results were obtained, indicating that this algorithm was suitable to this prediction problem. The differential gene network was constructed from the network, and the KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that the module genes were significantly enriched in several important pathways.
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3
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Xu Z, Wang Y, Xiao ZG, Zou C, Zhang X, Wang Z, Wu D, Yu S, Chan FL. Nuclear receptor ERRα and transcription factor ERG form a reciprocal loop in the regulation of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene in prostate cancer. Oncogene 2018; 37:6259-6274. [PMID: 30042415 PMCID: PMC6265259 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0409-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The TMPRSS2:ERG (T:E) fusion gene is generally believed to be mainly regulated by the activated androgen receptor (AR) signaling in androgen-dependent prostate cancer. However, its persistent expression in castration-resistant and neuroendocrine prostate cancers implies that other transcription factors might also regulate its expression. Here, we showed that up-regulation of nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) was closely associated with the oncogenic transcription factor ERG expression in prostate cancer, and their increased coexpression patterns were closely associated with high Gleason scores and metastasis in patients. Both ERRα and ERG exhibited a positive expression correlation in a castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) xenograft model VCaP-CRPC. We showed that ERRα could directly transactivate T:E fusion gene in both AR-positive and -negative prostate cancer cells via both ERR-binding element- and AR-binding element-dependent manners. Ectopic T:E expression under ERRα regulation could promote both in vitro invasion and in vivo metastasis capacities of AR-negative prostatic cells. Intriguingly, ERG expressed by the T:E fusion could also transactivate the ERRα (ESRRA) gene. Hereby, ERRα and ERG can synergistically regulate each other and form a reciprocal regulatory loop to promote the advanced growth of prostate cancer. Inhibition of ERRα activity by ERRα inverse agonist could suppress T:E expression in prostate cancer cells, implicating that targeting ERRα could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating the aggressive T:E-positive prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuliang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhan Gang Xiao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Chang Zou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Zhu Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dinglan Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shan Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Franky Leung Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Bhanushali A, Rao P, Raman V, Kokate P, Ambekar A, Mandva S, Bhatia S, Das BR. Status of TMPRSS2- ERG fusion in prostate cancer patients from India: correlation with clinico-pathological details and TMPRSS2 Met160Val polymorphism. Prostate Int 2018; 6:145-150. [PMID: 30505817 PMCID: PMC6251948 DOI: 10.1016/j.prnil.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) shows considerable clinical heterogeneity that has been primarily attributed to variable molecular alterations. TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is one such molecular subtype that has been associated with predominantly poor prognosis. More recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the TMPRSS2 gene rs12329760 C>T (Met160Val) has been shown to positively correlate with the fusion status and also to be associated with increased risk for PCa. The aim of the present study is to determine the frequency of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and association of rs12329760 in Indian PCa patients with fusion status. Methods TMPRSS2-ERG fusion by fluorescence in situ hybridization was determined in 102 of 150 PCa biopsy-proven cases. Genotyping for rs12329760 was performed on the entire cohort of 150 cases by Sanger sequencing. Results TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was seen in 27 of 102 (26%) cases. Fusion-positive patterns in this study showed fusion by translocation in nine of 27 cases (33.5%), by deletion in six of 27 (22%) cases, and by insertion in 12 of 27 cases (44.5%). No association of the fusion status with Gleason Score, pattern, or perineural invasion was seen. The TMPRSS2 SNP rs12329760 'T' allele was prevalent with a frequency of 0.27 in the PCa patients. The SNP was significantly associated with fusion [odds ratio (OR) = 2.176, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.012-4.684, P = 0.04], more specifically fusion by deletion (P = 0.04). Conclusion The results provided here determine the frequency of TMPRSS2-ERG fusions (26%) in a fairly large cohort of Indian PCa cases and also the association of rs12329760 SNP with TMPRSS2-ERG fusion. No association with other clinico-pathological features was observed. Future studies with clinical outcomes are warranted in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pranesh Rao
- Research and Development, SRL Ltd, Mumbai 400 062, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Simi Bhatia
- Department of Histopathology, SRL Ltd, India
| | - B R Das
- Research and Development, SRL Ltd, Mumbai 400 062, India
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Zhou CK, Young D, Yeboah ED, Coburn SB, Tettey Y, Biritwum RB, Adjei AA, Tay E, Niwa S, Truelove A, Welsh J, Mensah JE, Hoover RN, Sesterhenn IA, Hsing AW, Srivastava S, Cook MB. TMPRSS2:ERG Gene Fusions in Prostate Cancer of West African Men and a Meta-Analysis of Racial Differences. Am J Epidemiol 2017; 186:1352-1361. [PMID: 28633309 PMCID: PMC5860576 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwx235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of fusions of the transmembrane protease, serine 2, gene (TMPRSS2) with the erythroblast transformation-specific-related gene (ERG), or TMPRSS2:ERG, in prostate cancer varies by race. However, such somatic aberration and its association with prognostic factors have neither been studied in a West African population nor been systematically reviewed in the context of racial differences. We used immunohistochemistry to assess oncoprotein encoded by the ERG gene as the established surrogate of ERG fusion genes among 262 prostate cancer biopsies from the Ghana Prostate Study (2004-2006). Poisson regression with robust variance estimation provided prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals of ERG expression in relation to patient characteristics. We found that 47 of 262 (18%) prostate cancers were ERG-positive, and being negative for ERG staining was associated with higher Gleason score. We further conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of TMPRSS2:ERG fusions in relation to race, Gleason score, and tumor stage, combining results from Ghana with 40 additional studies. Meta-analysis showed the prevalence of TMPRSS2:ERG fusions in prostate cancer to be highest in men of European descent (49%), followed by men of Asian (27%) and then African (25%) descent. The lower prevalence of TMPRSS2:ERG fusions in men of African descent implies that alternative genomic mechanisms might explain the disproportionately high prostate cancer burden in such populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Ke Zhou
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Denise Young
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Rockville, Maryland
| | | | - Sally B Coburn
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yao Tettey
- University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Evelyn Tay
- University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Judith Welsh
- NIH Library, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Robert N Hoover
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Isabell A Sesterhenn
- Genitourinary Pathology, Joint Pathology Center, Department of Defense, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Ann W Hsing
- Stanford Prevention Research Center and Cancer Institute, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Shiv Srivastava
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Michael B Cook
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
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Carozzi F, Tamburrino L, Bisanzi S, Marchiani S, Paglierani M, Di Lollo S, Crocetti E, Buzzoni C, Burroni E, Greco L, Baldi E, Sani C. Are biomarkers evaluated in biopsy specimens predictive of prostate cancer aggressiveness? J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2015. [PMID: 26210155 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-015-2015-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate biomarkers involved in biological pathways for prostate cancer (PCa) progression, measured in biopsy specimens, in order to distinguish patients at higher risk for fatal PCa and thus improve the initial management of disease. METHODS Retrospective case-control study. In 129 PCa patients who underwent ultrasound-guided needle prostate biopsy and subsequent radical prostatectomy from 1987 to 1999 at the University Hospital of Careggi, we evaluated: (1) mRNA expression of the serine 2 (TMPRSS2): erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (ERG); (2) expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and 9 (epithelial and stromal); (3) expression of androgen receptor; (4) expression of prognostic marker Ki67 (MIB1); (5) presence and typing of human papilloma virus; (6) DNA methylation of CpG islands of several genes involved in PCa progression. RESULTS The cohort consists of 38 cases (patients with PCa and died of PCa within 10 years from diagnosis) and 91 controls (patients with PCa but alive 10 years after diagnosis). Gleason bioptic score, epithelial MMP expression and SERPINB5 methylation correlated with statistically significant increase in death risk OR. Compared with patients with high level of MMP, patients with low level of MMP had OR for specific death 4.78 times higher (p = 0.0066). After adjustment for age and Gleason score, none of the investigated biomarkers showed increased OR for PCa death. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary results suggest that evaluation, in prostate biopsy specimens, of a panel of biomarkers known to be involved in PCa progression is poorly indicative of tumor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Carozzi
- Laboratory Cancer Prevention, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Via Cosimo il Vecchio 2, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Lara Tamburrino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Simonetta Bisanzi
- Laboratory Cancer Prevention, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Via Cosimo il Vecchio 2, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Marchiani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Milena Paglierani
- DAI Biomedicina SOD Istologia Patologica e Diagnostica Molecolare, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Simonetta Di Lollo
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuele Crocetti
- Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy
| | - Carlotta Buzzoni
- Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Burroni
- Laboratory Cancer Prevention, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Via Cosimo il Vecchio 2, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Luana Greco
- Laboratory Cancer Prevention, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Via Cosimo il Vecchio 2, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Baldi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Sani
- Laboratory Cancer Prevention, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Via Cosimo il Vecchio 2, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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Powell K, Semaan L, Conley-LaComb MK, Asangani I, Wu YM, Ginsburg KB, Williams J, Squire JA, Maddipati KR, Cher ML, Chinni SR. ERG/AKR1C3/AR Constitutes a Feed-Forward Loop for AR Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:2569-79. [PMID: 25754347 PMCID: PMC4976600 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Intratumoral androgen synthesis in prostate cancer contributes to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several enzymes responsible for androgen biosynthesis have been shown to be overexpressed in CRPC, thus contributing to CRPC in a castrated environment. The TMPRSS2-ERG transcription factor has been shown to be present in primary prostate cancer tumors as well as CRPC tumors. We hypothesize that TMPRSS2-ERG fusions regulate androgen biosynthetic enzyme (ABE) gene expression and the production of androgens, which contributes to the development of CRPC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used a panel of assays, including lentivirus transduction, gene expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric quantitation, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatics analysis of gene microarray databases, to determine ERG regulation of androgen synthesis. RESULTS We found that ERG regulated the expression of the ABE AKR1C3 in prostate cancer cells via direct binding to the AKR1C3 gene. Knockdown of ERG resulted in reduced AKR1C3 expression, which caused a reduction in both DHT synthesis and PSA expression in VCaP prostate cancer cells treated with 5α-androstanedione (5α-Adione), a DHT precursor metabolite. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that ERG was coexpressed with AKR1C3 in prostate cancer tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that AKR1C3 catalyzes the biochemical reduction of 5α-Adione to DHT in prostate cancer cells, and that ERG regulates this step through upregulation of AKR1C3 expression. Elucidation of ERG regulation of ABEs in CRPC may help to stratify TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer patients in the clinic for anti-androgen receptor-driven therapies; and AKR1C3 may serve as a valuable therapeutic target in the treatment of CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn Powell
- Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Louie Semaan
- Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Irfan Asangani
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yi-Mi Wu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kevin B Ginsburg
- Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Julia Williams
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeremy A Squire
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Sao Paulo at Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Krishna R Maddipati
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Michael L Cher
- Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sreenivasa R Chinni
- Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
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8
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Feng FY, Brenner JC, Hussain M, Chinnaiyan AM. Molecular pathways: targeting ETS gene fusions in cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:4442-8. [PMID: 24958807 PMCID: PMC4155001 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-0275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Rearrangements, or gene fusions, involving the ETS family of transcription factors are common driving events in both prostate cancer and Ewing sarcoma. These rearrangements result in pathogenic expression of the ETS genes and trigger activation of transcriptional programs enriched for invasion and other oncogenic features. Although ETS gene fusions represent intriguing therapeutic targets, transcription factors, such as those comprising the ETS family, have been notoriously difficult to target. Recently, preclinical studies have demonstrated an association between ETS gene fusions and components of the DNA damage response pathway, such as PARP1, the catalytic subunit of DNA protein kinase (DNAPK), and histone deactylase 1 (HDAC1), and have suggested that ETS fusions may confer sensitivity to inhibitors of these DNA repair proteins. In this review, we discuss the role of ETS fusions in cancer, the preclinical rationale for targeting ETS fusions with inhibitors of PARP1, DNAPK, and HDAC1, as well as ongoing clinical trials targeting ETS gene fusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Y Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - J Chad Brenner
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Maha Hussain
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Farooqi AA, Hou MF, Chen CC, Wang CL, Chang HW. Androgen receptor and gene network: Micromechanics reassemble the signaling machinery of TMPRSS2-ERG positive prostate cancer cells. Cancer Cell Int 2014; 14:34. [PMID: 24739220 PMCID: PMC4002202 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-14-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a gland tumor in the male reproductive system. It is a multifaceted and genomically complex disease. Transmembrane protease, serine 2 and v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 homolog (TMPRSS2-ERG) gene fusions are the common molecular signature of prostate cancer. Although tremendous advances have been made in unraveling various facets of TMPRSS2-ERG-positive prostate cancer, many research findings must be sequentially collected and re-interpreted. It is important to understand the activation or repression of target genes and proteins in response to various stimuli and the assembly in signal transduction in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer cells. Accordingly, we divide this multi-component review ofprostate cancer cells into several segments: 1) The role of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in genomic instability and methylated regulation in prostate cancer and normal cells; 2) Signal transduction cascades in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer; 3) Overexpressed genes in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer cells; 4) miRNA mediated regulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and its associated protein network; 5) Quantitative control of ERG in prostate cancer cells; 6) TMPRSS2-ERG encoded protein targeting; In conclusion, we provide a detailed understanding of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion related information in prostate cancer development to provide a rationale for exploring TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-mediated molecular network machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammad Ahmad Farooqi
- Laboratory for Translational Oncology and Personalized Medicine, Rashid Latif Medical College, 35 Km Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ming-Feng Hou
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chi Chen
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Lin Wang
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wei Chang
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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10
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Xu B, Chevarie-Davis M, Chevalier S, Scarlata E, Zeizafoun N, Dragomir A, Tanguay S, Kassouf W, Aprikian A, Brimo F. The prognostic role of ERG immunopositivity in prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma: a study including 454 cases and review of the literature. Hum Pathol 2014; 45:488-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2013.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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11
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Tamburrino L, Salvianti F, Marchiani S, Pinzani P, Nesi G, Serni S, Forti G, Baldi E. Androgen receptor (AR) expression in prostate cancer and progression of the tumor: Lessons from cell lines, animal models and human specimens. Steroids 2012; 77:996-1001. [PMID: 22289337 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Revised: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is among the most frequent causes of death for cancer in men in western countries. In about 30% of cases, the disease is very aggressive rapidly leading to a metastatic disease. In these cases, prostatectomy is not possible and the patient is usually directed to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) which is only palliative as a castration resistant PC (CRPC) usually develops within 2-3 years of treatment. At present there are no prognostic markers of PC progression. The role of the androgen receptor (AR) in initiation and development of PC is well established and documented. In particular, it is now recognized that androgens actions are mediated by an integration of classical (genomic) and non-classical (extragenomic) activity of AR. The picture about AR and PC become less clear when CRPC is considered. Indeed, the role of AR in the progression of PC and in CRPC is controversial. Results of studies on the role of AR in the progression of PC in cell lines, xenografts, animal models and even clinical specimens are conflicting reflecting the high heterogeneity of PC. Recent evidence in AR conditional KO in mouse models of PC shows possible contrasting roles of AR depending on its location in the two (epithelial or stromal) compartments of PC. Here, we review this evidence and report preliminary data of a study performed in microdissected areas of epithelia and stromal compartments of human PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Tamburrino
- Dept. of Clinical Physiopathology, Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DeNothe, University of Florence, Italy
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12
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Pettersson A, Graff RE, Bauer SR, Pitt MJ, Lis RT, Stack EC, Martin NE, Kunz L, Penney KL, Ligon AH, Suppan C, Flavin R, Sesso HD, Rider JR, Sweeney C, Stampfer MJ, Fiorentino M, Kantoff PW, Sanda MG, Giovannucci EL, Ding EL, Loda M, Mucci LA. The TMPRSS2:ERG rearrangement, ERG expression, and prostate cancer outcomes: a cohort study and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012; 21:1497-509. [PMID: 22736790 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-12-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether the genomic rearrangement transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2):v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (ERG) has prognostic value in prostate cancer is unclear. METHODS Among men with prostate cancer in the prospective Physicians' Health and Health Professionals Follow-Up Studies, we identified rearrangement status by immunohistochemical assessment of ERG protein expression. We used Cox models to examine associations of ERG overexpression with biochemical recurrence and lethal disease (distant metastases or cancer-specific mortality). In a meta-analysis including 47 additional studies, we used random-effects models to estimate associations between rearrangement status and outcomes. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 1,180 men treated with radical prostatectomy between 1983 and 2005. During a median follow-up of 12.6 years, 266 men experienced recurrence and 85 men developed lethal disease. We found no significant association between ERG overexpression and biochemical recurrence [hazard ratio (HR), 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.78-1.26] or lethal disease (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.61-1.43). The meta-analysis of prostatectomy series included 5,074 men followed for biochemical recurrence (1,623 events), and 2,049 men followed for lethal disease (131 events). TMPRSS2:ERG was associated with stage at diagnosis [risk ratio (RR)(≥T3 vs. T2), 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16-1.30) but not with biochemical recurrence (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.86-1.17) or lethal disease (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.47-2.09). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that TMPRSS2:ERG, or ERG overexpression, is associated with tumor stage but does not strongly predict recurrence or mortality among men treated with radical prostatectomy. IMPACT This is the largest prospective cohort study to examine associations of ERG overexpression and lethal prostate cancer among men treated with radical prostatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pettersson
- Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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13
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Grivas PD, Robins DM, Hussain M. Predicting response to hormonal therapy and survival in men with hormone sensitive metastatic prostate cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2012; 85:82-93. [PMID: 22705096 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2012.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation is the cornerstone of the management of metastatic prostate cancer. Despite several decades of clinical experience with this therapy there are no standard predictive biomarkers for response. Although several candidate genetic, hormonal, inflammatory, biochemical, metabolic biomarkers have been suggested as potential predictors of response and outcome, none has been prospectively validated nor has proven clinical utility to date. There is significant heterogeneity in the depth and duration of hormonal response and in the natural history of advanced disease; therefore to better optimize/individualize therapy and for future development, identification of biomarkers is critical. This review summarizes the current data on the role of several candidate biomarkers that have been evaluated in the advanced/metastatic disease setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros D Grivas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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14
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Sabaliauskaite R, Jarmalaite S, Petroska D, Dasevicius D, Laurinavicius A, Jankevicius F, Lazutka JR. Combined analysis of TMPRSS2-ERG and TERT for improved prognosis of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2012; 51:781-91. [PMID: 22505341 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.21963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease with diverse clinical outcomes. TMPRSS2-ERG is the most common gene fusion in PCa, whereas activation of telomerase is a common feature of various malignancies. The aim of our study was to explore the combined utility of these and some other biomarkers in predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Prostate specimens and urine sediments from 179 previously untreated patients with pT2-pT3 stage PCa were analyzed for expression of telomerase (TERT and TR) and the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene by means of reverse transcription PCR. Real-time PCR was used for quantification of ERG and SPINK1 expression. In total, 74% (117/158) of the prostate adenocarcinomas were positive for the TMPRSS2-ERG and/or TERT expression. Noninvasively, these transcripts were identified in 31% (19/61) of catheterized urine specimens. Significantly higher expression of ERG was detected in TMPRSS2-ERG-positive tumors (P<0.0001), whereas more intense expression of SPINK1 was characteristic for the TMPRSS2-ERG-negative tumors (P=0.003). TERT-positive cases also had elevated levels of ERG (P=0.016), suggesting a possible link between aberrant expression of ERG and reactivation of TERT in prostate tumors. The cases negative for both transcripts, TMPRSS2-ERG and TERT, rarely recurred (P=0.014) and showed significantly longer biochemical recurrence-free period (P=0.022) as compared to the TMPRSS2-ERG and/or TERT-positive cases. The results of our study suggest that combined analysis of TMPRSS2-ERG and TERT expression can be a valuable tool for early prediction of biochemical recurrence of PCa after radical prostatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Sabaliauskaite
- Division of Human Genome Research Centre, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vilnius University, and National Center of Pathology, Urology Department, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Clinics, Vilnius, Lithuania
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15
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Abstract
Oncogenic activation of ERG resulting from gene fusion is present in over half of all patients with prostate cancer in Western countries. Although the underlying genetic mechanisms have been extensively studied, evaluation of the ERG oncoprotein--the translational product of ERG gene fusions--has just begun. The robust correlation between ERG oncoprotein detection and gene fusion status enables rapid characterization of this protein in large patient cohorts. Recent studies have focused on characterizing the ERG oncoprotein and determining its potential role in the diagnosis and biological stratification of prostate cancer.
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16
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St John J, Powell K, Conley-Lacomb MK, Chinni SR. TMPRSS2-ERG Fusion Gene Expression in Prostate Tumor Cells and Its Clinical and Biological Significance in Prostate Cancer Progression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 4:94-101. [PMID: 23264855 DOI: 10.4172/1948-5956.1000119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
TMPRSS2-Ets gene fusions were identified in prostate cancers where the promoter of transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) fused with coding sequence of the erythroblastosis virus E26 (Ets) gene family members. TMPRSS2 is an androgen responsive transmembrane serine protease. Ets family members are oncogenic transcription factors that contain a highly conserved Ets DNA binding domain and an N-terminal regulatory domain.Fusion of these gene results in androgen dependent transcription of Ets factor in prostate tumor cells. The ERG is the most common fusion partner with TMPRSS2 promoter in prostate cancer patients. The high prevalence of these gene fusions, in particular TMPRSS2-ERG, makes them attractive as potential diagnostic and prognostic indicators, as well as making them a potential target for tailored therapies.This review focuses on the clinical and biological significance of TMPRSS2-ERG fusions and their role in PC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason St John
- Departments of Urology and Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
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17
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Hollenhorst PC, Ferris MW, Hull MA, Chae H, Kim S, Graves BJ. Oncogenic ETS proteins mimic activated RAS/MAPK signaling in prostate cells. Genes Dev 2011; 25:2147-57. [PMID: 22012618 DOI: 10.1101/gad.17546311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aberrant expression of an oncogenic ETS transcription factor is implicated in the progression of the majority of prostate cancers, 40% of melanomas, and most cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor and Ewing's sarcoma. Chromosomal rearrangements in prostate cancer result in overexpression of any one of four ETS transcription factors. How these four oncogenic ETS genes differ from the numerous other ETS genes expressed in normal prostate and contribute to tumor progression is not understood. We report that these oncogenic ETS proteins, but not other ETS factors, enhance prostate cell migration. Genome-wide binding analysis matched this specific biological function to occupancy of a unique set of genomic sites highlighted by the presence of ETS- and AP-1-binding sequences. ETS/AP-1-binding sequences are prototypical RAS-responsive elements, but oncogenic ETS proteins activated a RAS/MAPK transcriptional program in the absence of MAPK activation. Thus, overexpression of oncogenic ETS proteins can replace RAS/MAPK pathway activation in prostate cells. The genomic description of this ETS/AP-1-regulated, RAS-responsive, gene expression program provides a resource for understanding the role of these ETS factors in both an oncogenic setting and the developmental processes where these genes normally function.
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18
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Yin L, Rao P, Elson P, Wang J, Ittmann M, Heston WDW. Role of TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in negative regulation of PSMA expression. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21319. [PMID: 21731703 PMCID: PMC3123299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 05/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in prostatic adenocarcinoma (CaP), and its expression is negatively regulated by androgen stimulation. However, it is still unclear which factors are involved in this downregulation. TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is the most common known gene rearrangement in prostate carcinoma. Androgen stimulation can increase expression of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in fusion positive prostate cancer cells. The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether PSMA expression can be regulated by the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion. We employed two PSMA positive cell lines: VCaP cells, which harbor TMPRSS2-ERG fusion, and LNCaP cells, which lack the fusion. After 24 hours of androgen treatment, TMPRSS2-ERG mRNA level was increased in VCaP cells. PSMA mRNA level was dramatically decreased in VCaP cells, while it only has moderate change in LNCaP cells. Treatment with the androgen antagonist flutamide partially restored PSMA expression in androgen-treated VCaP cells. Knocking down ERG by siRNA in VCaP cells enhances PSMA expression both in the presence and absence of synthetic androgen R1881. Overexpressing TMPRSS2-ERG fusions in LNCaP cells downregulated PSMA both in the presence or absence of R1881, while overexpressing wild type ERG did not. Using PSMA-based luciferase reporter assays, we found TMPRSS2-ERG fusion can inhibit PSMA activity at the transcriptional level. Our data indicated that downregulation of PSMA in androgen-treated VCaP cells appears partially mediated by TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Yin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Pravin Rao
- Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Paul Elson
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jianghua Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael Ittmann
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Warren D. W. Heston
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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Baldi E, Bonaccorsi L, Nesi G, Serni S, Forti G, Luzzatto L. TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene and androgen-ablation therapy in prostate cancer. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2010; 134:964-5; author reply 965. [PMID: 20586617 DOI: 10.5858/2009-0499-le.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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20
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Allen TC. Critical diagnoses in anatomic pathology. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2010; 134:965-6; author reply 966. [PMID: 20586618 DOI: 10.5858/2010-0145-le.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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21
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Furusato B, Tan SH, Young D, Dobi A, Sun C, Mohamed AA, Thangapazham R, Chen Y, McMaster G, Sreenath T, Petrovics G, McLeod DG, Srivastava S, Sesterhenn IA. ERG oncoprotein expression in prostate cancer: clonal progression of ERG-positive tumor cells and potential for ERG-based stratification. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2010; 13:228-37. [PMID: 20585344 PMCID: PMC3010744 DOI: 10.1038/pcan.2010.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gene fusions prevalent in prostate cancer (CaP) lead to the elevated expression of the ERG proto-oncogene. ERG activation present in 50–70% of prostate tumors underscores one of the most common oncogenic alterations in CaP. Despite numerous reports of gene fusions and mRNA expression, ERG oncoprotein status in CaP still remains to be defined. Furthermore, development of ERG protein-based assays may provide a new dimension to evaluation of gene fusions involving diverse androgen-regulated promoters and the ERG protein-coding sequence. Through exhaustive evaluations of 132 whole-mount prostates (261 tumor foci and over 200 000 benign glands) for the ERG oncoprotein nuclear expression, we demonstrated 99.9% specificity for detecting prostate tumor cells using a highly specific anti-ERG monoclonal antibody. The ERG oncoprotein expression correlated well with fusion transcript or gene fusion in randomly selected specimens. Strong concordance of ERG-positive foci of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) with ERG-positive carcinoma (82 out of 85 sections with PIN, 96.5%) affirms the biological role of ERG in clonal selection of prostate tumors in 65% (86 out of 132) of patients. Conversely, ERG negative PINs were associated with ERG-negative carcinoma. Taken together, the homogeneous and strong ERG expression detected in individual tumors establishes the potential for ERG oncoprotein-based stratification of CaP.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Furusato
- Department of Genitourinary Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, USA
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