Biomarkers for prostate cancer metastasis

Abstract

The present invention provides genomic markers for determining the predisposition of prostate cancer to become metastasized.

1 . A method of assessing the risk of post-prostatectomy reoccurrence of cancer in a individual, the method comprising, 
 detecting in a tumor sample from the individual the quantity of a MEN1 polynucleotide, wherein an individual with a risk of post-prostatectomy reoccurrence of cancer has an increased number of genomic copies of MEN1 per cell or increased expression of a MEN1 mRNA than a normal individual, thereby assessing the risk of post-prostatectomy reoccurrence of cancer in the individual.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MEN1 polynucleotide is genomic DNA and an increased number of copies per cell of the genomic DNA is associated with a risk of post-prostatectomy reoccurrence of cancer.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MEN1 polynucleotide is a MEN1 mRNA or cDNA thereof and increased expression of the polynucleotide is associated with a risk of post-prostatectomy reoccurrence of cancer.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting the tumor sample a polynucleotide at least one genomic location selected from the group consisting of 2qtel, 3q26.2, 3q26.32, 5p15.1, 7p22.3, 7q11.23, 7q11.22, 7q22.1, 7q31.31, 9q34.11, 11p15.5, 17q21.33, 17q25.3, 22q13.1, 4q13, 5q13.1, 5q14.3, 5q21.1, 5q21.2, 5q21.3, 5q23.1, 6q14.1, 6q21, 8p22, 8p21.2, 8q12, 10q23.31, 13q14.11, 13q14.13, 13q14.2, 13q14 and 16q23.1.