There is genetic predisposition associated with >=10% of all cancer of the prostate (CaP). By means of a genomewide search on a selection of 47 French and German families, parametric and nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis allowed identification of a locus, on chromosome 1q42.2-43, carrying a putative predisposing gene for CaP (PCaP). The primary localization was confirmed with several markers, by use of three different genetic models. We obtained a maximum two-point LOD score of 2.7 with marker D1S2785. Multipoint parametric and NPL analysis yielded maximum HLOD and NPL scores of 2.2 and 3.1, respectively, with an associated P value of . 001. Homogeneity analysis with multipoint LOD scores gave an estimate of the proportion of families with linkage to this locus of 50%, with a likelihood ratio of 157/1 in favor of heterogeneity. Furthermore, the 9/47 families with early-onset CaP at age <60 years gave multipoint LOD and NPL scores of 3.31 and 3.32, respectively, with P = .001.

These short-term results obtained on a large cohort confirm that HIFU is an option to be considered for the primary treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Early clinical and bacterial diagnosis of encrusted cystitis and pyelitis could improve the prognosis of these infectious diseases.

Simian virus SV40 has been widely used to immortalize epithelial cells of mammalian origin. We report here, for the first time to our knowledge, the immortalization of normal adult prostatic epithelial cells in culture by transfection of a plasmid containing SV40 genome with a defective replication origin (SV40 ori-) encapsulated into liposomes. These cells (PNT1) have now been cultured for more than 12 months, and shown to contain the SV40 genome. They express large T protein, present the phenotype of differentiated luminal prostatic cells (positive with antibodies to cytokeratin 18, 19, weakly positive for prostatic acid phosphatase and prostatic specific antigen, negative with anticytokeratin 14 and KL2 antibody). PNT1 cells contain high affinity receptors for dihydrotestosterone. These cells provide a useful tool to study the biology and the pathology of adult prostatic epithelial cells, specially to understand the steps leading to prostatic transformation.