Molecular biological analysis of the heterogeneous prostate cancer group Gleason score 7

BACKGROUND: On the basis of a multicolor-FISH test we aimed at verifying whether there is any molecular biological background for the different behavior of Gleason Score 7 prostate cancer (PCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Biopsies of 44 patients with histological verified PCa, 20 with Gleason score 3 + 4 (group A) and 24 with 4 + 3 (group B), were analyzed using FISH. RESULTS: In group A, FISH detected a unique gain of 8q24 in 2 patients (10.0%) and a unique loss of 8p22 in 9 patients (45.0%). No concurrent loss and gain of both sites were found in this group. Of group B (4 + 3) a unique loss of 8p22 was observed in 14 patients (58.3%) and a concurrent loss of 8p22 and gain of 8q24 in 6 patients (25.0%). CONCLUSION: Different molecular genetic patterns could explain the different biological behavior of the 2 groups. The analysis of chromosomal aberrations could therefore influence the clinical decision process in the future.