Array-based genomic analysis of screen-detected Gleason score 6 and 7 prostatic adenocarcinomas.
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer is known for its heterogeneous histological appearance. It is currently not clear whether this histological heterogeneity is also reflected in the genomic composition of a tumor.


METHODS
The cancer DNA's were retrieved from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer section Rotterdam (ERSPC). Tumors with volumes 1.0-1.5 ml and a Gleason score of 3+3 or 3+4 were selected. Comparative genomic hybridization with a 3500-element BAC array was used to detect differences in the genetic content of Gleason patterns 3 and 4.


RESULTS
A total of 1155 gains and 583 losses were discriminated in 10 G3 areas; 768 gains and 497 losses were detected in 7 G4 regions. Frequent losses included chromosome arms 6q, 8p and 13q, while frequent gains were seen on 7q and 8q. There were no significant differences between Gleason patterns 3 and 4, or between Gleason grades within one cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Histological heterogeneity, defined by Gleason grades 3 and 4, does not have a genomic counterpart. Furthermore, these asymptomatic screen-detected prostate carcinomas have genetic signatures comparable with those commonly seen in symptomatic cancers.
Postma
Renske
R
Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van Marion
Ronald
R
van Duin
Mark
M
Vissers
Kees J
KJ
Wink
Josiane C
JC
Schröder
Fritz H
FH
Tanke
Hans J
HJ
Szuhai
Karoly
K
van der Kwast
Theo H
TH
van Dekken
Herman
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery