Gene expression profiles define molecular subtypes of prostate cancer bone metastases with different outcomes and morphology traceable back to the primary tumor. Issue 8 (27th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thysell, Elin; Vidman, Linda; Ylitalo, Erik Bovinder; Jernberg, Emma; Crnalic, Sead; Iglesias‐Gato, Diego; Flores‐Morales, Amilcar; Stattin, Pär; Egevad, Lars; Widmark, Anders; Rydén, Patrik; Bergh, Anders; Wikström, Pernilla
• Is Part Of: Molecular oncology. Volume 13:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1763
• Page End: 1777
• Publication Date: 2019-06-27
• Subjects: bone metastasis -- gene expression -- gene set enrichment analysis -- morphology -- survival -- unsupervised cluster analysis; Cancer -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12526
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1574-7891

Abstract

Abstract : Bone metastasis is the lethal end‐stage of prostate cancer (PC), but the biology of bone metastases is poorly understood. The overall aim of this study was therefore to explore molecular variability in PC bone metastases of potential importance for therapy. Specifically, genome‐wide expression profiles of bone metastases from untreated patients ( n = 12) and patients treated with androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT, n = 60) were analyzed in relation to patient outcome and to morphological characteristics in metastases and paired primary tumors. Principal component analysis and unsupervised classification were used to identify sample clusters based on mRNA profiles. Clusters were characterized by gene set enrichment analysis and related to histological and clinical parameters using univariate and multivariate statistics. Selected proteins were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in metastases and matched primary tumors ( n = 52) and in transurethral resected prostate (TUR‐P) tissue of a separate cohort ( n = 59). Three molecular subtypes of bone metastases (MetA‐C) characterized by differences in gene expression pattern, morphology, and clinical behavior were identified. MetA (71% of the cases) showed increased expression of androgen receptor‐regulated genes, including prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), and glandular structures indicating a luminal cell phenotype. MetB (17%) showed expression profiles related to cell cycle activity and DNA damage, and a pronounced cellular atypia. MetC (12%) exhibited enriched stroma–epithelial cell interactions. MetB patients had the lowest serum PSA levels and the poorest prognosis after ADT. Combined analysis of PSA and Ki67 immunoreactivity (proliferation) in bone metastases, paired primary tumors, and TUR‐P samples was able to differentiate MetA‐like (high PSA, low Ki67) from MetB‐like (low PSA, high Ki67) tumors and demonstrate their different prognosis. In conclusion, bone metastases from PC patients are separated based on gene expression profiles into molecular subtypes with different morphology, biology, and clinical outcome. These findings deserve further exploration with the purpose of improving treatment of metastatic PC. Abstract : Three subtypes of prostate cancer bone metastases, MetA‐C, are identified based on differential gene expression. The subtypes have different morphology and biology. Patients with MetB show the worst outcome after androgen‐deprivation therapy. MetA and MetB are distinguishable and traceable back to the primary tumors by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of prostate‐specific antigen and fraction and proliferating (Ki67 positive) cells.