TMPRSS2-ERG Gene Fusion and Prostate Cancer Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): FitzGerald Liesel M, Agalliu Ilir, Johnson Karynn, Miller Melinda A, Kwon Erika M, Hurtado-Coll Antonio, Fazli Ladan, Rajput Ashish B, Gleave Martin E, Cox Michael E, Ostrander Elaine A, Stanford Janet L, Huntsman David G
Primary Institution: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Hypothesis
The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion may be used as a prognostic indicator for prostate cancer.
Conclusion
The presence of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was not significantly associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality, although there was a suggestive trend towards higher mortality in those with multiple copies of the fusion.
Supporting Evidence
- 64.5% of tumors were negative for the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.
- 35.5% of tumors were positive for the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.
- No significant difference in survival was observed between fusion positive and negative cases.
- Higher prostate cancer-specific deaths were observed in fusion positive cases (7.9% vs. 4.4%).
- The TMPRSS2 SNP rs12329760 was positively associated with TMPRSS2-ERG fusion by translocation.
Takeaway
This study looked at a gene fusion in prostate cancer to see if it could help predict how aggressive the cancer is. They found it didn't really help with that, but having more copies of the fusion might mean worse outcomes.
Methodology
Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assays were used to assess TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status in prostate cancer cases, along with genotyping of SNPs in a subset of cases.
Limitations
Only 57% of cases could be scored for fusion status due to technical issues, and the study had limited power due to few prostate cancer-specific deaths.
Participant Demographics
Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1996, with a mean age of 61.2 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.05 for association with translocation; p = 0.03 for multiple copies.
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.22–3.93 for overall survival; 95% CI = 0.34–4.02 for adjusted survival.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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