Clinical Utility and Biologic implications of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) and ETS-related Gene (ERG) in Prostate Cancer

Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) and ETS-related Gene (ERG) mutations are commonly found in prostate cancer. Although mouse studies have demonstrated PTEN and ERG cooperatively interact during tumorigenesis, human studies examining these genes have been inconclusive. A systematic Pubmed search including original articles assessing the pathogenesis of PTEN and ERG in prostate cancer was performed. Studies examining ERG's prognostic significance have conflicting results. Studies examining PTEN and ERG simultaneously found these genes are likely to occur together but cooperative tumorigenesis functions have not been conclusively established. PTEN mutations are associated with a range of prognostic features, However, the practical clinical utility of this information remains to be determined.

Urology. 2017 Dec 07 [Epub ahead of print]

David Ullman, David Dorn, Soroush Rais-Bahrami, Jennifer Gordetsky

Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham., Department of Urology, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham., Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Urology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Electronic address: .