The role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in predicting prostate cancer risk and therapeutic decision making.
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major health care problem because of its high prevalence, health-related costs, and mortality. Epidemiological studies have suggested an important role of genetics in PCa development. Because of this, an increasing number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) had been suggested to be implicated in the development and progression of PCa. While individual SNPs are only moderately associated with PCa risk, in combination, they have a stronger, dose-dependent association, currently explaining 30% of PCa familial risk. This review aims to give a brief overview of studies in which the possible role of genetic variants was investigated in clinical settings. We will highlight the major research questions in the translation of SNP identification into clinical practice.
Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium ; Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, P.O. Box 901, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Thomas
0000-0002-7237-7160
T
Van den Broeck
Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Steven
S
Joniau
Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, P.O. Box 901, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Liesbeth
L
Clinckemalie
Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, P.O. Box 901, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Christine
C
Helsen
Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, P.O. Box 901, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Stefan
0000-0002-7051-9321
S
Prekovic
Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, P.O. Box 901, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Lien
L
Spans
Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Lorenzo
0000-0003-3975-876X
L
Tosco
Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Hendrik
H
Van Poppel
Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N1, P.O. Box 901, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Frank
0000-0002-8676-7709
F
Claessens
D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors