TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion associated with lethal prostate cancer in a watchful waiting cohort.
Abstact
The 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.
Authors
- Adami HO
- Andersson SO
- Andrén O
- Chinnaiyan AM
- Demichelis F
- Fall K
- Hoshida Y
- Johansson JE
- Kantoff PW
- Lee C
- Mosquera JM
- Mucci LA
- Pawitan Y
- Perner S
- Rubin MA
- Schmidt F
- Setlur SR