Deletions on chromosome 8p22 may predict disease progression as well as pathological staging in prostate cancer

Purpose: A recent report demonstrated that the deletion of chromosome 8p22 could predict disease progression in stage III (capsular penetrating) prost ate cancer. We studied if the status of chromosomal deletions of 8p22 could reflect pathological stage as well as patient prognosis, thereby serving a s a diagnostic tool to optimize the treatment strategy in prostate cancer. Experimental Design: A total of 97 patients (41 Japanese and 56 Swedish) we re studied by the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. Seventy-sev en patients (23 pT2, 18 pT3, and 36 pN+ tumors) underwent surgery (radical prostatectomy or lymph node dissection). The specimens were prepared by tou ch biopsy. From another 20 cases, fine-needle aspiration biopsies were obta ined. Results: 8p22 deletions were detected in 47 (61 %) and 11 (55 %) specimens of 77 touch biopsies and 20 fine-needle aspiration biopsies, respectively. No significant difference was found in the frequency of 8p22 deletion betwe en different preparations of specimens, as well as between different races (Japanese versus Swedish). The frequency of 8p22 deletion was statistically higher in patients with pT3 or more than in those with pT2 (P < 0.01). Dis ease progression was evaluated in 57 patients. The Cox proportional hazards model revealed 8p22 deletion to be the strongest parameter to predict dise ase progression (hazards ratio = 5.75; P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Studies on chromosomal deletions of 8p22 by fluorescence in si tu hybridization technique may serve as a genetic marker to optimize the tr eatment strategy in patients with prostate cancer to the optimal treatment.