Androgen receptor expression and DNA content of paraffin-embedded archival human prostate tumors.
BACKGROUND
Androgen receptors (AR) are expressed in human prostate cells and immunohistochemistry has been used for qualitative analysis of AR expression in prostate tumor cells. Quantitative and multiparametric analysis of receptor expression could be of diagnostic and prognostic value in the management of patients on antiandrogen therapy. Multiparametric flow cytometric methods have been developed for analysis of hormone receptor expression and DNA content in nuclei isolated from formalin-fixed/paraffin-embedded human solid tumors. The present study was undertaken for analysis of AR expression and DNA content in archival human prostate tumors.


METHODS
AR expression and DNA content were measured in nuclei isolated by enzyme digestion from thick sections cut from 51 paraffin-embedded human prostate tumors. AR expression in different subpopulations was studied by gated analysis. The relationship among AR activity, DNA content, and histopathological grade was analyzed.


RESULTS
Distinct aneuploid populations were observed in 23% of tumors examined. AR activity was observed in all the specimens and the percentage of AR- positive nuclei in the 48 samples analyzed was <10% (n = 4), 11-50% (n = 39), and >51% (n = 5). Tumor subpopulations with aneuploid DNA content had higher AR expression (percent AR-positive cells and mean log fluorescence) than the diploid subpopulations. No strong correlation was seen between AR expression and histopathological grade of the tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Flow cytometric analysis of archival prostate tumor can be used for rapid determination of aneuploid DNA content and AR expression in subpopulations of nuclei isolated from formalin-fixed/paraffin-embedded prostate tumor blocks.
Adiga
Satish Kumar
SK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India.
Andritsch
Ilia
I
Rao
Ravikala Vittal
RV
Krishan
Awtar
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000782:Aneuploidy; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011944:Receptors, Androgen