FGFR1 and WT1 are markers of human prostate cancer progression

BACKGROUND: Androgen-independent prostate adenocarcinomas are responsible for about 6% of overall cancer deaths in men. METHODS: We used DNA microarrays to identify genes related to the transition between androgen-dependent and androgen-independent stages in the LuCaP 23.1 xenograft model of prostate adenocarcinoma. The expression of the proteins encoded by these genes was then assessed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays (TMA) including human prostate carcinoma samples issued from 85 patients who had undergone radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: FGFR1, TACC1 and WT1 gene expression levels were associated with the androgen-independent stage in xenografts and human prostate carcinoma samples. MART1 protein expression was correlated with pT2 tumor stages. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that each of these four genes may play a role, or at least reflect a stage of prostate carcinoma growth/development/progression.