Genetic polymorphism analysis in predicting prognosis of advanced prostate cancer

Abstract

The human genome project has revealed significant interindividual genomic variation, including over ten million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The finding accelerated a large number of studies exploring genes involved in the predisposition of various types of cancer. Previous case-control studies or genome-wide association studies discovered hundreds of prostate cancer (PC)- associated genes. Meanwhile, clinical applications of the genetic polymorphisms have been investigated. Polymorphisms associated with early-onset aggressive phenotypes, prognosis of hormone-sensitive metastatic or castration-resistant prostate cancer, and outcomes after specific treatments are expected as useful markers, which are of great help in the therapeutic decision making of PC.