Translation of genomics and epigenomics in prostate cancer: progress and promising directions

During the last several years, exciting discoveries have been made in prostate cancer (PCa) as a result of significant advances in genomic technology and information. For example, using genome-wide association studies, more than 100 inherited genetic variants associated with PCa risk have been identified. Similarly, with the use of next-generation sequencing, various types of recurrent somatic DNA alterations in prostate tumors have been revealed. Some of these discoveries have potential clinical application to supplement existing tools for better decision-making regarding the need for screening, biopsy, and treatment of PCa. However, because of the complexity of these genomic findings and incomplete understanding of the genetics of this multifactorial disease, this potential has not yet been fully realized.