Analysis of gene expression identifies candidate markers and pharmacological targets in prostate cancer

Detection, treatment, and prediction of outcome for men With prostate cance r increasingly depend on a molecular understanding of tumor development and behavior. We characterized primary prostate cancer by monitoring expressio n levels of more than 8900 genes in normal and malignant tissues. Patterns of gene expression across tissues revealed a precise distinction between no rmal and tumor samples, and repealed a striking group of about 400 genes th at were overexpressed in tumor tissues. We ranked these genes according to their differential expression in normal and cancer tissues by selecting for highly and specifically overexpressed genes in the majority of cancers wit h correspondingly low or absent expression in normal tissues. Several such genes were identified that act within a variety of biochemical pathways and encode secreted molecules with diagnostic potential, such as the secreted macrophage inhibitory cytokine, MIC-1. Other genes, such as fatty acid synt hase, encode enzymes known as drug targets in other contexts, which suggest s new therapeutic approaches.