From sequence to molecular pathology, and a mechanism driving the neuroendocrine phenotype in prostate cancer.

TitleFrom sequence to molecular pathology, and a mechanism driving the neuroendocrine phenotype in prostate cancer.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsLapuk AV, Wu C, Wyatt AW, McPherson A, McConeghy BJ, Brahmbhatt S, Mo F, Zoubeidi A, Anderson S, Bell RH, Haegert A, Shukin R, Wang Y, Fazli L, Hurtado-Coll A, Jones EC, Hach F, Hormozdiari F, Hajirasouliha I, Boutros PC, Bristow RG, Zhao Y, Marra MA, Fanjul A, Maher CA, Chinnaiyan AM, Rubin MA, Beltran H, S Sahinalp C, Gleave ME, Volik SV, Collins CC
JournalJ Pathol
Volume227
Issue3
Pagination286-97
Date Published2012 Jul
ISSN1096-9896
KeywordsAdenocarcinoma, Aged, Alternative Splicing, Biomarkers, Tumor, British Columbia, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Cluster Analysis, Decision Support Techniques, Gene Dosage, Gene Expression Profiling, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Gene Fusion, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Humans, Lymphatic Metastasis, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Grading, Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent, Neuroendocrine Cells, Nomograms, Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis, Patient Selection, Phenotype, Precision Medicine, Prognosis, Prostate-Specific Antigen, Prostatic Neoplasms, RNA Interference, Transfection
Abstract

The current paradigm of cancer care relies on predictive nomograms which integrate detailed histopathology with clinical data. However, when predictions fail, the consequences for patients are often catastrophic, especially in prostate cancer where nomograms influence the decision to therapeutically intervene. We hypothesized that the high dimensional data afforded by massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is not only capable of providing biological insights, but may aid molecular pathology of prostate tumours. We assembled a cohort of six patients with high-risk disease, and performed deep RNA and shallow DNA sequencing in primary tumours and matched metastases where available. Our analysis identified copy number abnormalities, accurately profiled gene expression levels, and detected both differential splicing and expressed fusion genes. We revealed occult and potentially dormant metastases, unambiguously supporting the patients' clinical history, and implicated the REST transcriptional complex in the development of neuroendocrine prostate cancer, validating this finding in a large independent cohort. We massively expand on the number of novel fusion genes described in prostate cancer; provide fresh evidence for the growing link between fusion gene aetiology and gene expression profiles; and show the utility of fusion genes for molecular pathology. Finally, we identified chromothripsis in a patient with chronic prostatitis. Our results provide a strong foundation for further development of MPS-based molecular pathology.

DOI10.1002/path.4047
Alternate JournalJ. Pathol.
PubMed ID22553170
PubMed Central IDPMC3659819
Grant ListP50 CA097186 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA132874 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
/ / Canadian Institutes of Health Research / Canada
P50 CA69568 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01CA132874 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R00 CA149182 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
P50 CA069568 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U01 CA111275 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States