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In vivo amplification of the androgen receptor gene and progression of human prostate cancer

Nature Genetics volume 9, pages 401–406 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

Overexpression of amplified genes is often associated with the acquisition of resistance to cancer therapeutic agents in vitro. We have identified a similar molecular mechanism in vivo for endocrine treatment failure in human prostate cancer which involves amplification of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Comparative genomic hybridization shows that amplification of the Xq11–q13 region (the location), is common in tumours recurring during androgen deprivation therapy. We found high–level AR amplification in seven of 23 (30%) recurrent tumours, but in none of the specimens taken from the same patients prior to therapy. Our results suggest that AR amplification emerges during androgen deprivation therapy by facilitating tumour cell growth in low androgen concentrations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Tampere University Hospital and Institute of Medical Technology, P.O. Box 2000, FIN-33521, Tampere, Finland

    Tapio Visakorpi, Eija Hyytinen, Pasi Koivisto, Minna Tanner, Riitta Keinänen, Jorma Isola & Olli-P. Kallioniemi

  2. Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, National Center for Human Genome Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA

    Tapio Visakorpi

  3. Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Tampere University Hospital,

    Christian Palmberg & Teuvo Tammela

  4. Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Tampere, FIN-33521, Tampere, Finland

    Christian Palmberg & Teuvo Tammela

  5. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, FIN-00290, Finland

    Aarno Palotie

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  1. Tapio Visakorpi
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Visakorpi, T., Hyytinen, E., Koivisto, P. et al. In vivo amplification of the androgen receptor gene and progression of human prostate cancer. Nat Genet 9, 401–406 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng0495-401

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