Genomic and genetic variation in E2F transcription factor-1 in men with nonobstructive azoospermia.

Objective: To identify gene dosage changes associated with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH).

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Medical school.

Increased expression of CYP24A1 correlates with advanced stages of prostate cancer and can cause resistance to vitamin D3-based therapies.

A major limitation of exogenous vitamin D3 administration for the treatment of prostate cancer is the marginal, if any, clinical efficacy. We dissected the basis for the resistance to the vitamin D3 antitumor properties and specifically examined the effect of its major catabolic enzyme, CYP24A1, in prostate cancer. Local CYP24A1 expression levels and the effect of selective modulation were analyzed using tissue microarrays from needle core biopsy specimens and xenograft-bearing mouse models.