A bioinformatics screen identifies TCF19 as an aggressiveness-sustaining gene in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a prevalent tumor type that, despite being highly curable, progresses to metastatic disease in a fraction of patients, thus accounting for more than 350 000 annual deaths worldwide. In turn, uncovering the molecular insights of metastatic disease is instrumental in improving the s...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Ercilla Eguiarte, Amaia, Crespo, Jana R., García Longarte, Saioa, Fidalgo, Marta, Palacio, Sara del, Martín Martín, Natalia, Carlevaris, Onintza, Astobiza, Ianire, Fernández Ruiz, Sonia, Guiu Comadevall, Marc, Bárcena, Laura, Mendizabal, Isabel, Aransay, Ana M., Graupera i Garcia-Milà, Mariona, Gomis i Cabré, Roger, Carracedo, Arkaitz
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2025
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/223587
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/223587
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Càncer de pròstata
Oncogens
Prostate cancer
Oncogenes
Description
Summary:Prostate cancer is a prevalent tumor type that, despite being highly curable, progresses to metastatic disease in a fraction of patients, thus accounting for more than 350 000 annual deaths worldwide. In turn, uncovering the molecular insights of metastatic disease is instrumental in improving the survival rate of prostate cancer patients. By means of gene expression meta-analysis in multiple prostate cancer patient cohorts, we identified a set of genes that are differentially expressed in aggressive prostate cancer. Transcription factor 19 (TCF19) stood out as an unprecedented epithelial gene upregulated in metastatic disease, with prognostic potential and negatively associated with the activity of the androgen receptor. By combining computational and empirical approaches, our data revealed that TCF19 is required for full metastatic capacity, and its depletion influences core cancer-related processes, such as tumor growth and vascular permeability, supporting the role of this gene in the dissemination of prostate tumor cells.