Somatic Mutations in Prostate Cancer: Closer to Personalized Medicine

Mol Diagn Ther. 2017 Apr;21(2):167-178. doi: 10.1007/s40291-016-0248-6.

Abstract

The molecular cause of prostate cancer (PCa) is still unclear; however, its progression involves androgen, PI3K/Akt, and PTEN signaling, as cycle and apoptotic pathways. Alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes as PIK3CA, BRAF, KRAS and TP53 are not very common. Recently, somatic mutations have been discovered in relation to cancer progression mainly in genes such as PIK3CA; however, little data has been described in PCa. Nowadays genetic tools allow us to investigate multiple details about the biological heterogeneity of PCa, to better understand the mechanisms of disease progression and treatment resistance. Therefore, if the most relevant somatic mutations were included during screening, we could identify the best treatment for the right patient, bringing us closer to personalized medicine. The main objective of this article is to provide a review of the principal somatic mutations that appear to have a relevant role in hormonal cancers, like prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Heterogeneity
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Precision Medicine / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor