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Characterisation of biomolecular profiles in primary high-grade prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the biomolecular profile of high-grade (HG) with low-grade (LG) prostate cancers matched by preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

Methods

From 2,560 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for localised disease, 24 men with HG cancer (Gleason score ≥9) were eligible. Their clinical data were compared with those of 24 LG tumours (Gleason score ≤6), matched by PSA values. The expression of Ki-67, p53, Bcl-2, chromogranin A, α-catenin, and PSA were analysed and compared between both groups.

Results

The expression of Ki-67 (P=0.031), p53 (P=0.008), Bcl-2 (P=0.002), and chromogranin A (P=0.042) were expressed significantly higher, and α-catenin (P=0.020) and PSA (P<0.001) significantly lower in HG tumours. Cancer volumes of HG and LG differed significantly (10.6 cm3 vs 5.3 cm3; P=0.006). Overall, cancer volume correlated with increased expression of p53 (r=0.52; P<0.001) and chromogranin A (r=0.46; P<0.001), and with decreased expression of PSA (r=0.41; P<0.004).

Conclusions

According to our data, tumour grade is clearly associated with a change in the biomolecular profile, even between patients with similar serum PSA levels. As the prognosis of HG prostate cancer is poor, these tumours should be analysed by immunohistochemical staining to identify specific tumour features for an appropriate selection of adjuvant therapy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mrs. Ebisch for immunohistochemical assays. This work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to H. Huland. Dr. H. Augustin was partially supported by a grant of the Österreichische Gesellschaft für Urologie sponsored by AESCA Corp. (Traiskirchen, Austria).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 7, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Herbert Augustin & Fedor Daghofer

  2. Department of Urology, Hospital of Braunschweig, Salzdahlumer Strasse 90, 38126, Braunschweig, Germany

    Peter G. Hammerer

  3. Department of Urology, University of Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    Markus Graefen, Jüri Palisaar & Hartwig Huland

  4. Institut of Pathology, University of Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    Andreas Erbersdobler

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  1. Herbert Augustin
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  2. Peter G. Hammerer
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Correspondence to Herbert Augustin.

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Augustin, H., Hammerer, P.G., Graefen, M. et al. Characterisation of biomolecular profiles in primary high-grade prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 129, 662–668 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-003-0496-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-003-0496-9

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