Focal adhesion kinase controls aggressive phenotype of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Overexpression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been well correlated with tumor development and/or the maintenance of tumor phenotype. In addition, inappropriate activation of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway is common to many human cancers. In the present study, we investigated the interplay between FAK and ERK in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (PC3 and DU145 cells).

High Gleason scores and lower prostate-specific antigen levels in a single institution over the past decade.

Recent trends suggest that carcinoma of the prostate is being detected at earlier stages in its natural history; our objective is to determine if this trend is accompanied by changes in tumor characteristics. Two hundred ninety-three men from 1990-1993, 308 from 1994-1996, and 323 from 1998-2000 with newly diagnosed prostate cancer have been evaluated at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. We compared the Gleason score, mean age, and the mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) among the 3 cohorts.