Gonadoblastoma, Testicular and Prostate Cancers, and the TSPY Gene

Abstract

The role of the Y chromosome in oncogenesis of human cancers has been somewhat controversial. Both gain and loss of the Y chromosome in different leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors have been reported (Abeliovich et al. 1994; Brothman 1997; Dave et al. 1996; Geburek et al. 1997; Jackson-Cook et al. 1996; Kirk et al. 1994; Konig et al. 1994; Mertens et al. 1997; Riske et al. 1994; Watanabe et al. 1996). Conceivably, both oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes exist on this chromosome, and they may act at different points during tumorigenesis, particularly for cancers of male-specific organs, such as the testis and the prostate.