To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Histological Findings Reliable in Specific Gene-Fusion Prostate Cancer After Dutasteride Therapy: Presented at ASCP URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22F27E.htm Doctor's Guide October 20, 2008
By Maggie Schwarz BALTIMORE, Md -- October 20, 2008 -- The gene that encodes transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) is overexpressed in a majority of men with prostate cancer. Patients with a mutated version of that gene may have E26 transformation-specific related gene (TMPRSS2-ERG) fusion prostate cancer (TEFPC), which exhibits specific histological features when treated with dutasteride that might carry prognostic and therapeutic implications. Researchers presented these findings on October 17 here at the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) 2008 Annual Meeting. Michael Linden, MD, PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, and colleagues tested the hypothesis that TEFPC histological phenotype would be present in patients with prostate cancer independent of dutasteride treatment. The researchers examined tissue from 63 specimens of radical prostatectomy (43 men received neoadjuvant dutasteride and 20 were untreated). Using high-density tissue microarrays, the group assessed the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status using an assay that examines ERG-specific break-apart fluorescent in situ hybridisation. Two reviewers blinded to gene-fusion status assessed each tumour for the presence of the previously reported TEFPC-associated histological features. A significant association was observed between 1 or more of the histological features and a positive TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status, adjusting for treatment group. The association was statistically significant among patients treated with dutasteride. Since the histological features of TEFPC are preserved in the treated group, despite a background of atrophic and other histopathological changes, Dr. Linden proposed that the biological effect of TMPRSS2-ERG fusions may drive pathways favouring these features. Moreover, since histological changes in dutasteride-treated patients can complicate the recognition and grading of treated carcinoma, this morphology may also be helpful in identifying TEFPC, which may carry both prognostic and therapeutic implications. There was no difference in the proportion of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status among treated and nontreated groups. [Presentation title: The Histological Phenotype of TMPRSS2-ERG Gene Fusion Prostate Cancer Is Unaltered by Neoadjuvant Treatment With the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride.] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.