title: Urine TMPRSS2: ERG Fusion Transcript as a Biomarker for Prostate Cancer: Literature Review.
abstract: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male malignancies. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is one of the most valuable biomarkers in tumor biology and remains the standard marker in detecting and monitoring PCa. However, the high number of serum PSA false positive and false negative results make the identification of novel biomarkers extremely welcome to improve our diagnostic accuracy in detecting PCa and distinguishing the aggressive from the indolent ones. In this study, we analyzed the current role of urinary gene fusion transcripts involving v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog, commonly known as ERG, and the androgen-regulated gene transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2), as a biomarker for PCa. Used as a single marker, urinary TMPRSS2:ERG has low sensitivity but high specificity. However, its combination with the other urinary marker PCa antigen 3 (PCA3) has been reported to provide high specificity and sensitivity. Finally, a commercially available assay combining serum PSA with urinary PCA3 and TMPRSS2:ERG provides a 90% specificity and 80% sensitivity in diagnosing PCa. Urinary TMPRSS2:ERG also seems to be indicative of PCa aggressiveness upon biopsy. Should these findings be confirmed in larger studies, urinary TMPRSS2:ERG might become a valuable test not only for diagnosing PCa but also for distinguishing the aggressive tumors from the indolent ones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. Electronic address: fradolce@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sanguedolce
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cormio
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Diagnostic, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brunelli
authors.affiliation: Anatomic Pathology, Card. G. Panico Hospital, Tricase, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Pantaleo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bufo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cormio
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics / Q000652:urine*; D011379:Prognosis; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000652:urine; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; C515553:TMPRSS2-ERG fusion protein, human; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen
keywords: Diagnosis; Male genital neoplasm; Molecular biology; Prognosis; Urine marker