TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is frequently observed in Gleason pattern 3 prostate cancer in a Canadian cohort.
OBJECTIVE
TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion was recently reported as the most common gene rearrangement in prostate cancer (PCA).


RESULTS
In this cohort 41% of the patients showed positive gene fusion status in their PCA. The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion status was homogenous within the same cancer focus and 82% of fusion positive PCA were present in GS 6 or 7 vs. 14% in GS 8 (p = 0.004). Moreover, TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was present in 42% of Gleason pattern 3 vs. 27% of Gleason pattern 4 (p = 0.014). However, in this study, no significant association was noticed between TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status in relation to pathological stage, surgical margin or biochemical failure.


METHODS
Using break-apart FISH assay to indirectly assess the fusion of TMPRSS2-ERG. We sought to characterize the incidence, pathological features and clinical parameters of TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in a cohort of 196 Canadian men treated by radical prostatectomy for localized PCA, and to investigate its potential as a biomarker in PCA.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher association of TMPRSS2-ERG with Gleason score 6 and 7 should be further investigated. If confirmed, this could have significant clinical impact in further stratifying patients with PCA should the TMPRSS2-ERG be confirmed as a prognostic biomarker.
Darnel
Andrew D
AD
Department of Pathology, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, CA.
Lafargue
Christopher J
CJ
Vollmer
Robin T
RT
Corcos
Jacques
J
Bismar
Tarek A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D013997:Time Factors; D015534:Trans-Activators; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C072312:ERG protein, human; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D015534:Trans-Activators; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C421305:TMPRSS2 protein, human