CHROMOSOME 16Q24 DELETION AND DECREASED E-CADHERIN EXPRESSION - POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION WITH METASTATIC POTENTIAL IN PROSTATE-CANCER

BACKGROUND. Deletion of chromosome 16q is a frequent aberration in pro static carcinoma, indicating the existence of candidate tumor suppress or genes involved in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. METHODS. Chr omosome 16 numerical aberration and loss of 16q were studied by fluore scence in situ hybridization in 31 primary and 22 metastatic tumors fr om 53 patients. The results were compared with E-cadherin expression, tumor grade and stage, and DNA ploidy. RESULTS. Numerical chromosome 1 6 aberrations, 16q deletion, and loss of E-cadherin expression were fo und in 29%, 35%, and 29% of the primary tumors, respectively, and in 7 3%, 73%, and 73% of the metastases, respectively. High tumor grade and DNA aneuploidy were also found to have significant correlation with m etastases. CONCLUSIONS. Deletion of chromosome 16q24 and/or loss of th e E-cadherin function appears in a high frequency in metastases of pro state cancer. The strong correlations suggest that they may be importa nt risk factors, contributing to the metastatic potential of the tumor . Prostate 36:31-38, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.