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TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion associated with lethal prostate cancer in a watchful waiting cohort

Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsDemichelis, F., Fall K., Perner S., and Andr
AbstractThe identification of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion in prostate cancer suggests that distinct molecular subtypes may define risk for disease progression. In surgical series, TMPRSS2:ERG fusion was identified in 50% of the tumors. Here, we report on a population-based cohort of men with localized prostate cancers followed by expectant (watchful waiting) therapy with 15% (17/111) TMPRSS2:ERG fusion. We identified a statistically significant association between TMPRSS2:ERG fusion and prostate cancer specific death (cumulative incidence ratio=2.7, P<0.01, 95% confidence interval=1.3-5.8). Quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated high ets-related [corrected] gene (ERG) expression to be associated with TMPRSS2:ERG fusion (P<0.005). These data suggest that TMPRSS2:ERG fusion prostate cancers may have a more aggressive phenotype, possibly mediated through increased ERG expression.
Year of Publication2007
JournalOncogene
Volume26
Issue31
Pages4596 - 9
Date Published (YYYY/MM/DD)2007/07/05/
ISBN Number0950-9232
Keywords80 and over, Aged, Cancer, Cohort Studies, Fluorescence, Fusion, Gene Fusion, Humans, In Situ Hybridization, Male, Middle Aged, Oncogene Proteins, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Prostatic Neoplasms