Prognostic role of genetic biomarkers in clinical progression of prostate cancer

The aim of this study was to analyze the use of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes ELAC2, RNASEL and MSR1 as biomarkers for prostate cancer (PCa) detection and progression, as well as perform a genetic classification of high-risk patients. A cohort of 451 men (235 patients and 216 controls) was studied. We calculated means of regression analysis using clinical values (stage, prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score and progression) in patients and controls at the basal stage and after a follow-up of 72 months. Significantly different allele frequencies between patients and controls were observed for rs1904577 and rs918 (MSR1 gene) and for rs17552022 and rs5030739 (ELAC2). We found evidence of increased risk for PCa in rs486907 and rs2127565 in variants AA and CC, respectively. In addition, rs627928 (TT-GT), rs486907 (AG) and rs3747531 (CG-CC) were associated with low tumor aggressiveness. Some had a weak linkage, such as rs1904577 and rs2127565, rs4792311 and rs17552022, and rs1904577 and rs918. Our study provides the proof-of-principle that some of the genetic variants (such as rs486907, rs627928 and rs2127565) in genes RNASEL, MSR1 and ELAC2 can be used as predictors of aggressiveness and progression of PCa. In the future, clinical use of these biomarkers, in combination with current ones, could potentially reduce the rate of unnecessary biopsies and specific treatments.

Effect of temperature on bone tissue: histological changes.

The analysis of burned human remains has been of great interest among forensic anthropologists largely due to the difficulty that their recovery, classification, reconstruction, and identification present. The main purpose of this analysis is to present histological methodology for the interpretation of bones altered by thermal processes. We include analyses of the microscopic changes among bones exposed to different temperatures, with the goal of establishing categories of histological morphology in relation to fire temperature. Samples of bone (ilium) were exposed systematically to controlled temperatures. Analysis of the resulting histological changes has allowed the formation of a clear four-stage classification of the alterations observed. This classification should prove useful in assessing bone changes in relation to temperature of exposure, particularly in cases where this temperature was previously not known.

Effects of temperature on bone tissue. Histological study of the changes in the bone matrix.

The analysis of burned human remains has given rise to many publications in the literature and has caused great interest among forensic specialists and physical anthropologists due to the difficulty in its analysis and interpretation. The main goal of this study has been to measure the changes that occur in bone matrix as a consequence of the increased temperature and establishing categories of histological morphology in relation to fire temperature. To this end, a total of 150 bone cylinders from the ilium obtained by bone biopsy. These samples have been obtained from forensic cadavers and burned at controlled temperatures between 100 and 1100°C in an oven. The samples were fixed in methyl methacrylate and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Goldner's trichrome and toluidine blue stains. The samples were studied using an optical microscope at 100×. Our study classifies the morphological changes that occur in bone matrix in four stages as a result of the temperature.

Mitochondrial haplogroups and polymorphisms reveal no association with sporadic prostate cancer in a southern European population.

BACKGROUND: It is known that mitochondria play an important role in certain cancers (prostate, renal, breast, or colorectal) and coronary disease. These organelles play an essential role in apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species; in addition, mtDNA also reveals the history of populations and ancient human migration. All these events and variations in the mitochondrial genome are thought to cause some cancers, including prostate cancer, and also help us to group individuals into common origin groups. The aim of the present study is to analyze the different haplogroups and variations in the sequence in the mitochondrial genome of a southern European population consisting of subjects affected (n = 239) and non-affected (n = 150) by sporadic prostate cancer. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using primer extension analysis and DNA sequencing, we identified the nine major European haplogroups and CR polymorphisms. The frequencies of the haplogroups did not differ between patients and control cohorts, whereas the CR polymorphism T16356C was significantly higher in patients with PC compared to the controls (p = 0.029). PSA, staging, and Gleason score were associated with none of the nine major European haplogroups. The CR polymorphisms G16129A (p = 0.007) and T16224C (p = 0.022) were significantly associated with Gleason score, whereas T16311C (p = 0.046) was linked with T-stage. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Our results do not suggest that mtDNA haplogroups could be involved in sporadic prostate cancer etiology and pathogenesis as previous studies performed in middle Europe population. Although some significant associations have been obtained in studying CR polymorphisms, further studies should be performed to validate these results.

[The diagnosis of prostate cancer dissemination]. / Métodos diagnósticos de la diseminación prostática.

Prostate cancer preferentially metastasizes to regional lymph nodes and bone. The incidence of dissemination has been reduced over the last years mainly due to the compost use of PSA. For this reason, the indication of complementary diagnostic tests has evolved with the aim of improving the diagnostic yield. Some of these techniques are currently under evaluation and may contribute in the close future to change the study of dissemination in the clinical practice. CT scan or MRI are the standard imaging studies for lymph node dissemination, whereas bone scan continues to be the routine test for bone dissemination.