The Role of the Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) Test for the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in the Era of Opportunistic Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening

Association of CYP1A1 rs1048943 Polymorphism with Prostate Cancer in Iraqi Men Patients

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CYP1A1 gene rs1048943 polymorphism and the risk of Iraqi men with prostate cancer.

Methods:

In this research, we conducted a population-based approach that intersects high-throughput genotype information from different population of Iraq to estimate the frequency of genotypes associated with prostate cancer responsivenessOur study included a total of 100 patients and 150 healthy controls. rs1048943 genotyping has been investigated in Iraqi men in connection with prostate cancer.

Results:

We observed that individuals with the rs1048943 GA genotype had an increased risk of prostate cancer relative to those with the AA genotype ( OR 95% CI of 0.449 :95%CI 0.23-0.90; P = 0.002). We found in the dominant model that the rs1048943 GA and GG genotype displayed an increased risk of prostate cancer relative to the AA genotype ( OR 95% CI of 0.680 :95%CI 0.4-1.17; P = 0.018).

Conclusion:

Polymorphism RS 1048943 in the CYP1A1 gene is associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer and is possibly one of the most significant factors in its development.

Exosomes and Exosomal MicroRNAs in Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy

Despite current risk stratification systems using traditional clinicopathologic factors, many localized and locally advanced prostate cancers fail radical treatment (ie, radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy). Therefore, a pressing need exists for enhanced methods of disease stratification through novel prognostic and predictive tools that can reliably be applied in clinical practice. Exosomes are 50- to 150-nm small vesicles released by cancer cells that reflect the genetic and nongenetic materials of parent cancer cells. Cancer cells can contain distinct sets of microRNA profiles, the expression of which can change owing to stress such as radiation therapy. These alterations or distinctions in contents allow exosomes to be used as prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers and to monitor the treatment response. Additionally, microRNAs have been shown to influence multiple processes in prostate tumorigenesis, including cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, migration, oncogene inhibition, and radioresistance. Thus, comparative exosomal microRNA profiling at different levels could help portray tumor aggressiveness and response to radiation therapy. Although technical challenges persist in exosome isolation and characterization, recent improvements in microRNA profiling have evolved toward in-depth analyses of the exosomal cargo and its functions. We have reviewed the role of exosomes and exosomal microRNAs in biologic processes of prostate cancer progression and radiation therapy response, with a particular focus on the development of clinical assays for treatment personalization.

Urine TMPRSS2: ERG Fusion Transcript as a Biomarker for Prostate Cancer: Literature Review

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male malignancies. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is one of the most valuable biomarkers in tumor biology and remains the standard marker in detecting and monitoring PCa. However, the high number of serum PSA false positive and false negative results make the identification of novel biomarkers extremely welcome to improve our diagnostic accuracy in detecting PCa and distinguishing the aggressive from the indolent ones. In this study, we analyzed the current role of urinary gene fusion transcripts involving v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog, commonly known as ERG, and the androgen-regulated gene transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2), as a biomarker for PCa. Used as a single marker, urinary TMPRSS2:ERG has low sensitivity but high specificity. However, its combination with the other urinary marker PCa antigen 3 (PCA3) has been reported to provide high specificity and sensitivity. Finally, a commercially available assay combining serum PSA with urinary PCA3 and TMPRSS2:ERG provides a 90% specificity and 80% sensitivity in diagnosing PCa. Urinary TMPRSS2:ERG also seems to be indicative of PCa aggressiveness upon biopsy. Should these findings be confirmed in larger studies, urinary TMPRSS2:ERG might become a valuable test not only for diagnosing PCa but also for distinguishing the aggressive tumors from the indolent ones.

Urine TMPRSS2:ERG fusion transcript integrated with PCA3 score, genotyping, and biological features are correlated to the results of prostatic biopsies in men at risk of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Detection of fusion gene TMPRSS2:ERG transcripts in urine have been recently described in order to refine urine-based detection of prostate cancer (PCa), but data its clinical impact remain scarce. We aimed at investigating the correlation of TMPRSS2:ERG, prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3), prostate specific antigen (PSA) density, genetic variants, and androgenic status with outcome and pathological findings at prostatic biopsy.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2011, 291 patients at risk of PCa because of PSA > 3.0 ng/ml (55%) or candidate to active surveillance protocol justifying restaging biopsy management (45%) were recruited. TMPRSS2:ERG was detected by urine assay (Progensa™). PCA3-score, PSA level, bioavailable testosterone level, prostate volume, rs1447295 and rs6983267 genotypes were prospectively assessed. Univariate and multivariate analysis by logistic regression model (logit) were conducted to study the correlation of TMPRSS2:ERG status, PCA3, and PSA density with biopsy results, and Gleason score.

RESULTS

Of 291 patients, 173 had PCa and 118 had negative biopsy. PCA3 score, PSA density and TMPRSS2:ERG-score were correlated with presence of PCa (P < 0.0001, P = 0.046, and P < 0.0001, respectively). This correlation remained strong on multivariable analysis model (area under curve 0.743). PCA3 score and PSA density were significantly associated with presence of Grade 4 through multivariable analysis. PCA3 score was also correlated to the percentage of positive cores at biopsy (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Integration of levels TMPRSS2:ERG transcripts in urine, with PCA3-score, androgenic status, genetic status and traditional clinical variables could significantly increase detection of high risk localized PCa.