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ERG protein expression and gene rearrangements are present at lower rates in metastatic and locally advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer compared to localized disease.

By:
Contributors: Bryan Donnelly, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Kiril Trpkov, MD, FRCPC, Tarek Bismar Research Group
Urology. 2013 Aug;82(2):394-9. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.03.029. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

Abstract

 

OBJECTIVE:

To compare ERG expression and gene rearrangements rates in metastatic and castrationresistant prostate cancer (CRPC) to localized disease as ERG is the most common genetic event in early prostate cancer (PCa) with potential prognostic and therapeutic implications.

METHODS:

We evaluated ERG protein expression in 344 patients with PCa in 3 cohorts including localized, metastatic, and castrationresistant disease using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

RESULTS:

ERG protein expression was detected exclusively in the neoplastic epithelium and was found in 6.8% and 46.3% of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and localized PCa, respectively. In metastatic and locally advanced CRPC, ERG expression was significantly lower, occurring at 36.1% and 37.2%, respectively. In PCa with foamy gland morphology, ERG protein expression was detected in only 18.6% compared with reported rates of about 42%-48% in acinar PCa. Moreover, ERG protein expression and gene rearrangements showed an overall consistency rate of 90.6% (P <.0001). The consistency rate was 100% both in benign glands and HGPIN, and 96.1% in localized PCa. However, it was significantly lower at 76.9% and 85% in node metastatic and CRPC, respectively (P <.0001).

CONCLUSION:

ERG protein expression is restricted to neoplastic prostatic epithelium and is present at lower rates in metastatic and CRPC compared to localized PCa. IHC and FISH concordance rates were significantly lower in node metastatic and CRPC compared to localized PCa, which may suggest different biological and therapeutic implications. The lower rate of ERG protein expression in foamy gland PCa may suggest potential differences for this pattern of PCa at the molecular level.

 

PubMed

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The Bird Dogs: Pointing for the Prostate Cancer Cure

For years, Frank Sojonky hid his battle with prostate cancer from the world. But by 2004 he could hide it no longer, as the disease metastasized and began to spread. So when he learned from his oncologist, Dr. Peter Venner, that a chair in prostate cancer research was needed in Alberta, he made his personal goal to raise the funds to do it. That is how the Bird Dogs started and thanks to them and the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Dr. John Lewis and the Alberta Prostate Cancer Research Initiative are making important discoveries to improve the lives of those with prostate cancer.

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