The role of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) mRNA expression in angiogenesis of prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is associated with tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TP mRNA expression in the angiogenesis of prostate cancer (PC).


METHODS
Prostatic tissues were obtained from 37 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. TP and TP mRNA expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, microvessel density (MVD) and blood flow were studied as markers of angiogenesis.


RESULTS
The level of TP mRNA expression significantly correlated with the TP expression level, MVD and Gleason score in a group where TP expression was predominantly localized to stromal cells rather than malignant cells within the tumor. It also correlated with VEGF expression and blood flow, but not with clinical findings including T category and serum PSA level.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the overexpression of TP mRNA by stromal cells within tumors plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis of PC.
Kikuno
Nobuyuki
N
Department of Urology, Shimane Medical University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo 693-8501, Japan.
Yoshino
Tateki
T
Urakami
Shinji
S
Shigeno
Kazushi
K
Kishi
Hirofumi
H
Hata
Kohkichi
K
Shiina
Hiroaki
H
Igawa
Mikio
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen