Relevance of Molecular Markers in Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Letters15 December 2009Relevance of Molecular Markers in Prostate CancerEdward P. Gelmann, MD and Susan M. Henshall, PhDEdward P. Gelmann, MDFrom Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032; and Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.Search for more papers by this author and Susan M. Henshall, PhDFrom Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032; and Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-12-200912150-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Dr. Concato and colleagues make 3 major points. First, they say that their study determined whether marker status at diagnosis (vs. after surgery) predicted actual mortality and emphasized the importance of not assuming that biochemical failure is an outcome equivalent to mortality. Second, they explain that their results can guide future research on biological mechanisms and suggest new approaches to therapy. Third, they cite other reviews as affirming the importance of the 3 markers they highlighted: P53, BCL2, and microvessel density. We commend Dr. Concato and colleagues for assembling a large and important study cohort. However, in trying ...