Prostate cancer; the interface between pathology and basic scientific research

Current research into prostate cancer increasingly demands greater input from pathologists. There is a requirement for improved morphological assessment, classification and grading of neoplasia. The provision of optimally preserved material and establishment of tissue 'banks' is vital to facilitate molecular biological analysis. Microdissection of archival material can provide a source of relatively pure DNA and mRNA which can be further amplified by PCR/RT-PCR. This enables allelic imbalance, point mutations and other genetic abnormalities to be demonstrated. In-situ hybridization for mRNA is feasible on fixed tissues and allows precise localization of gene expression on complex tissues or for labile gene products. Experimental models including transgenic mice and in-vitro co-culture systems require sophisticated morphological analysis. Experts in morphological analysis are essential members of basic scientific and translational research teams.