Molecular aspects of prostate cancer: implications for future directions

Abstract

Many studies have been developed trying to understand the complex molecular mechanisms involved in oncogenesis and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Current biotechnological methodologies, especially genomic studies, are adding important aspects to this area. The construction of extensive DNA sequence data and gene expression profiles have been intensively explored to search for candidate biomarkers to evaluate PCa. The use of DNA micro-array robotic systems constitutes a powerful approach to simultaneously monitor the expression of a great number of genes. The resulting gene expressing profiles can be used to specifically describe tumor staging and response to cancer therapies. Also, it is possible to follow PCa pathological properties and to identify genes that anticipate the behavior of clinical disease. The molecular pathogenesis of PCa involves many contributing factors, such as alterations in signal transduction pathways, angiogenesis, adhesion molecules expression and cell cycle control. Also, molecular studies are making clear that many genes, scattered through several different chromosomal regions probably cause predisposition to PCa. The discovery of new molecular markers for PCa is another relevant advance resulting from molecular biology studies of prostate tumors. Interesting tissue and serum markers have been reported, resulting in many cases in useful novelties to diagnostic and prognostic approaches to follow-up PCa. Finally, gene therapy comes as an important approach for therapeutic intervention in PCa. Clinical trials for PCa have been demonstrating that gene therapy is relatively safe and well tolerated, although some improvements are yet to be developed.

High-Throughput Transcriptomic and RNAi Analysis Identifies AIM1, ERGIC1, TMED3 and TPX2 as Potential Drug Targets in Prostate Cancer

“…Gene expression profiling enables improved diagnosis and staging of the disease, provides information on treatment responses and leads to reduced side effects [22], [23]. RNA interference (RNAi) technique enables the exploration of the functional effect of individual genes on cancer cell characteristics, such as growth and survival, further advancing the development of targeted and personalized therapeutics [24]–[26].…”

Recent developments in prostate cancer biomarker research: therapeutic implications

“…The knowledge of biomarkers in cancer offers new hope for more specific therapies and provides important understanding of the factors influencing the aggressiveness of prostate cancer and potential new treatments [15]. Molecular genetic approaches examining tumour gene expression profiling using microarrays have been introduced in recent years and analysis using a small panel of genes of interest has the potential for use in clinical practice to allow better diagnosis and classification of the disease, provide information on how each individual patient may respond to treatments and lead to reduced toxicity and identification of new therapeutics [16, 17]. We will review a number of biomarkers in prostate cancer which have involved development of targeted therapies in animal and human trials.…”

Análise molecular de polimorfismos e expressão gênica do fator β1 de transformação do crescimento (TGF-β1) no câncer de próstata.

“…Como os adenocarcinomas da próstata apresentam mais de um padrão histológico, o diagnóstico final na escala de Gleason é dado pela soma dos graus do padrão primário (predominante) e do padrão secundário (segunda maior área representada) McNEAL, 1992;ISAACS, 1997; CHANG et al, 2001; INTITUTO NACIONAL DO CÂNCER, INCA, 2004). Outrossim, é a segunda causa de morte em homens (COFFEY, 1993;ALBRIGHT;EELES, 1995;GIMBA;BARCINSKI, 2003) depois do câncer de pulmão WEIR et al, 2003).…”