ATLANTA, GA USA (PRESS RELEASE) - May 22, 2012 - Certain genetic variants, specifically rs1571801 and rs5945572, appear to promote, and rs445114 protects against increasing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), according to a new study at the 107th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).
The study was presented to reporters during a special press conference at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m.
Genome-wide association studies have suggested that genetic sequence variants are useful in estimating prostate cancer susceptibility. Data also suggests that some variants may be present in higher frequencies in men undergoing surgical interventions for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). To date, there has been limited research on whether the >40 genetic sequence variants associated with prostate cancer risk are also linked with LUTS and use of BPH medications.
Researchers from the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago, IL identified 38 genetic sequence variants previously associated with prostate cancer susceptibility in 1,993 Caucasian healthy volunteer men who were enrolled in a prospective prostate cancer screening study and who had a PSA <2.5 ng/ml and a normal digital rectal exam. AUA symptom index (AUA-SI) questionnaires were used to assess the severity of LUTS and clinical characteristics (age and BPH medication use) were documented.
Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that variants appear to promote and protect against increasing LUTS and may help to explain the relationship between urinary symptoms and prostate cancer. Specifically:
- Univariate analyses established associations (p<0.05) between 4 of the genetic variants (rs6465657 on chr. 7q21.3, rs445114 on chr. 8q24, rs1571801 on chr. 9q33, and rs5945572 on chr. Xp11) and LUTS severity
- Variants rs2736098 on chr. 5p15 and rs5945572 on chr. Xp11 showed a significant relationship with BPH medication use – rs2736098 was present in 28% of men who used medication vs. only 15% of non-users (p=0.03); rs5945572 was present at a significantly decreased percentage of medication users compared to non-users (27% vs. 38%, p=0.04)
- After adjusting for the presence of the other genetic variants, age and medication use, the rs1571801 variant on chr. 9q33 (p=0.04) and the rs5945572 variant on chr. Xp11 (p=0.02) continued to be significantly associated with increasing LUTS severity. In contrast, the minor allele (A) of rs44511 on chr. 8q24 was protective for the presence of severe LUTS (0.83, CI 0.66-1.01)
“We know that increased PSA levels are a risk factor for prostate cancer, however, levels also increase with other non-cancerous conditions, including surgical interventions,” said Tobias Kohler, MD, a member of the AUA Public Media Committee. “Having an understanding of other factors that may contribute to urinary symptoms and prostate cancer susceptibility affords us the opportunity to better diagnose and treat the condition.”
About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 18,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.
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American Urological Association (AUA)
