Methylation of SRD5A2 promoter predicts a better outcome for castration-resistant prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy

What is it about?

SRD5A2 is a critical enzyme for prostatic development and growth. We have indicated for the first time that the epigenetic silencing of SRD5A2 promotes an androgenic-to-estrogenic switch in epithelial cell transcriptional regulation. However, little is known about whether SRD5A2 is associated with prostate cancer. Using local and metastatic cohorts of castration-resistant prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, and controls of benign prostatic specimens, we tested the methylation status of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) site(s) at SRD5A2 promoter regions. Our study demonstrates that SRD5A2 methylation in promoter regions, specifically at CpG# -39 to -2, is significantly associated with better survival for CRPC patients treated with ADT.

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our study demonstrates that SRD5A2 methylation in promoter regions is significantly associated with better survival for CRPC patients treated with ADT. Recognition of epigenetic modifications of SRD5A2 may affect the choices and sequence of available therapies for the management of CRPC.