Potential suppressor gene loci and human prostate neoplasms

The biology of prostate cancer is still poorly understood. Allelic loss studies indicate that there likely exist multiple sites harbouring candidate tumour suppressor genes (TSG), some of which may have an important role in primary tumours, and some in late stages of prostate cancer. The recent studies on the localization of potential TSG in neoplastic transformation of prostate comprise chromosome regions 7q, 8p, l0p/q, 16q, 17q, and 18q. In connection with accumulation of genetic changes affecting functioning of critical TSG, the multistep cancer progression hypothesis is a useful starting point in efforts to understand the biology of the neoplastic lesions of prostate.