Cytogenetics of prostate cancer

This report summarizes the current knowledge with respect to genetic changes associated with the development of prostate cancer. The relation between the occurrence of these changes and the stage of the disease is by far not clear yet, albeit that some tendencies become more or less evident. Whereas changes on 7q and loss or gain of the X chromosome are not consistently found by either RFLP or ISH analysis, other changes are (8p-, 10p-, 10q, 16q-, and 18q-). Clearly the picture is far from complete and even more the relevant genes on these chromosomes are not defined. E-cadherin was considered a good candidate and indeed the value as progression marker is great. However, the studies so far indicate that E-cadherin does not behave as a classical type I suppressor gene and the relation with 16q loss remains to be established. The data available to date regarding chromosomal changes in prostate cancer are limited. Many studies have to be persued to identify the consistent changes, and moreover, to map the relevant loci harbouring the genes that are implicated in the development of this disease. This knowledge will be critical in the design of appropriate diagnostic methods and possibly clues towards therapy.