Evaluation of a short RNA within Prostate Cancer Gene 3 in the predictive role for future cancer using non-malignant prostate biopsies.

BACKGROUND: Prostate Cancer 3 (PCA3) is a long non-coding RNA (ncRNA) upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa). We recently identified a short ncRNA expressed from intron 1 of PCA3. Here we test the ability of this ncRNA to predict the presence of cancer in men with a biopsy without PCa. METHODS: We selected men whose initial biopsy did not identify PCa and selected matched cohorts whose subsequent biopsies revealed PCa or benign tissue. We extracted RNA from the initial biopsy and measured PCA3-shRNA2, PCA3 and PSA (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: We identified 116 men with and 94 men without an eventual diagnosis of PCa in 2-5 biopsies (mean 26 months), collected from 2002-2008. The cohorts were similar for age, PSA and surveillance period. We detected PSA and PCA3-shRNA2 RNA in all samples, and PCA3 RNA in 90% of biopsies. The expression of PCA3 and PCA3-shRNA2 were correlated (Pearson's r = 0.37, p<0.01). There was upregulation of PCA3 (2.1-fold, t-test p = 0.02) and PCA3-shRNA2 (1.5-fold) in men with PCa on subsequent biopsy, although this was not significant for the latter RNA (p = 0.2). PCA3 was associated with the future detection of PCa (C-index 0.61, p = 0.01). This was not the case for PCA3-shRNA2 (C-index 0.55, p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: PCA3 and PCA3-shRNA2 expression are detectable in historic biopsies and their expression is correlated suggesting co-expression. PCA3 expression was upregulated in men with PCa diagnosed at a future date, the same did not hold for PCA3-shRNA2. Futures studies should explore expression in urine and look at a time course between biopsy and PCa detection

Role of genetic testing for inherited prostate cancer risk: Philadelphia prostate cancer consensus conference 2017

Purpose: Guidelines are limited for genetic testing for prostate cancer (PCA). The goal of this conference was to develop an expert consensus-dri

ETS gene fusions in prostate cancer: from discovery to daily clinical practice.

Contains fulltext : 80880schalken.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)CONTEXT: In 2005, fusions between the androgen-regulated transmembrane protease serine 2 gene, TMPRSS2, and E twenty-six (ETS) transcription factors were discovered in prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE: To review advances in our understanding of ETS gene fusions, focusing on challenges affecting translation to clinical application. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The PubMed database was searched for reports on ETS fusions in prostate cancer. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Since the discovery of ETS fusions, novel 5' and 3' fusion partners and multiple splice isoforms have been reported. The most common fusion, TMPRSS2:ERG, is present in approximately 50% of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-screened localized prostate cancers and in 15-35% of population-based cohorts. ETS fusions can be detected noninvasively in the urine of men with prostate cancer, with a specificity rate in PSA-screened cohorts of >90%. Reports from untreated population-based cohorts suggest an association between ETS fusions and cancer-specific death and metastatic spread. In retrospective prostatectomy cohorts, conflicting results have been published regarding associations between ETS fusions and cancer aggressiveness. In addition to serving as a potential biomarker, tissue and functional studies suggest a specific role for ETS fusions in the transition to carcinoma. Finally, recent results suggest that the 5' and 3' ends of ETS fusions as well as downstream targets may be targeted therapeutically. CONCLUSIONS: Recent studies suggest that the first clinical applications of ETS fusions are likely to be in noninvasive detection of prostate cancer and in aiding with difficult diagnostic cases. Additional studies are needed to clarify the association between gene fusions and cancer aggressiveness, particularly those studies that take into account the multifocal and heterogeneous nature of localized prostate cancer. Multiple promising strategies have been identified to potentially target ETS fusions. Together, these results suggest that ETS fusions will affect multiple aspects of prostate cancer diagnosis and management

Evaluation of some properties of wheat-brewers’ spent cassava flour blends

Brewers’ spent cassava mash, a by-product from brewing process using cassava as the main substrate for beer production. This study investigated the proximate, functional and nutritional properties of wheat-brewers’ spent cassava flour blends. The mash was dried at 70oC for 16 h and milled into flour. Blends from wheat flour (WF) and brewers’ spent cassava flour (BSCF) were prepared at ratios of 80:20 (WF: BSCF), 70:30 (WF: BSCF), 60:40 (WF: BSCF), 100% BSCF and 100 % WF. The proximate, functional properties, some minerals and vitamin composition of the blends were determined and data obtained were subjected to one way analysis of variance. There were significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences in the properties of the blends. Appreciable quantities of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and thiamine were observed in BSCF. This study established the proximate, functional and pasting properties of wheat-brewers’ spent cassava flour blends and that it has a lot of potential in the food industry especially its use as thickener and binding agent in the food systems.Keywords: Brewers’ spent cassava flour, wheat flour, proximate, functional properties

The Potential of MicroRNAs as Prostate Cancer Biomarkers

Context: Short noncoding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) control protein expression through the degradation of RNA or the inhibition of protein translation. The miRNAs influence a wide range of biologic processes and are often deregulated in cancer. This family of small RNAs constitutes potentially valuable markers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic choices in prostate cancer (PCa) patients, as well as potential drugs (miRNA mimics) or drug targets (anti-miRNAs) in PCa management. Objective: To review the currently available data on miRNAs as biomarkers in PCa and as possible tools for early detection and prognosis. Evidence acquisition: A systematic review was performed searching the PubMed database for articles in English using a combination of the following terms: microRNA, miRNA, cancer, prostate cancer, miRNA profiling, diagnosis, prognosis, therapy response, and predictive marker. Evidence synthesis: We summarize the existing literature regarding the profiling of miRNA in PCa detection, prognosis, and response to therapy. The articles were reviewed with the main goal of finding a common recommendation that could be translated from bench to bedside in future clinical practice. Conclusions: The miRNAs are important regulators of biologic processes in PCa progression. A common expression profile characterizing each tumor subtype and stage has still not been identified for PCa, probably due to molecular heterogeneity as well as differences in study design and patient selection. Large-scale studies that should provide additional important information are still missing. Further studies, based on common clinical parameters and guidelines, are necessary to validate the translational potential of miRNAs in PCa clinical management. Such common signatures are promising in the field and emerge as potential biomarkers. Patient summary: The literature shows that microRNAs hold potential as novel biomarkers that could aid prostate cancer management, but additional studies with larger patient cohorts and common guidelines are necessary before clinical implementation. MicroRNAs compose an important class of regulatory molecules, and their deregulation is associated with all steps of cancer onset and progression. They are potentially valuable biomarkers in prostate cancer for future patient-tailored treatment