Prostatakarzinomsuszeptibilität: Genetische epidemiologie in der deutschen population

A genetic background in prostate cancer is well established. The initial hope of a quick and easy identification of prostate cancer susceptibility genes has been dampened by the understanding of the genetic heterogeneous and complex nature of the disease with genes, that may be population specific. This review provides an update on genetically determined susceptibility to prostate cancer based on studies particularly in the German population. Descriptive and explorative analyses of epidemiological characteristics of familiar prostate cancer are presented. An association of family history with clinical features of prostate cancer and its value as a predictive factor in the setting of PSA screening are described. Genetic linkage analyses in German prostate cancer families and the relevance of susceptibility loci proposed in other populations are summarized. A candidate gene approach evaluating the role of the PCTA-gene on 1q42.2-43 is presented. The genetic heterogeneity and complex nature of prostate cancer have been confirmed also in the German population. Genetic factors allowing predictive testing are still not available, yet the data presented may improve the counselling of patients and healthy relatives of prostate cancer families.