Open Access

RESIDENT’S CORNER

MLL translocation in two castration-resistant prostate cancer patients

Rajasree Pia Chowdry¹, Elisa Ledet², Lahiru Ranasinghe³, Alton Oliver Sartor²

1 Section of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tulane University Hematology/Oncology. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
2 Department of Urology, Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
3 Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Rajasree Pia Chowdry, Section of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-78, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2016, 23(5), 8483-8486.

Abstract

The mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) protein acts as a histone methyltransferase regulating multiple genetic elements. Rearrangements of the MLL gene result in expression of MLL-fusion proteins that occur in some acute leukemias and are associated with poor prognosis. The MLL protein complex has been shown to interact with the androgen receptor via the MLL-menin subunit, thus promoting gene activation. The presence of MLL translocation has not been previously reported in patients with castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We describe two cases of metastatic CRPC with a translocation in the MLL gene detected by a specific fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay. Both patients had an aggressive course and succumbed to the illness.

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