Characterization of ZAG protein expression in prostate cancer using a semi-automated microscope system.
OBJECTIVE
Zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (ZAG) is a 41-kD secreted protein that is known to stimulate lipid degradation in adipocytes. The aim of this study was to determine how ZAG protein expression is associated with prostate cancer (PCa).


METHODS
An immunohistochemistry analysis was performed on a 227 PCa tissue microarray cases. ZAG protein expression was assessed using a semi-automated cellular image analysis system.


RESULTS
ZAG expression was associated with tumor stage (pT2 > pT3 > metastasis cases, P < 0.001), and was inversely associated with Gleason score on pathology (P = 0.01). ZAG intensity was predictive of biochemical recurrence (P = 0.002). On multivariate analysis including pT2 patients, the predictive factors of biochemical recurrence were ZAG expression (P = 0.016), Gleason score (P = 0.011), and surgical margin status (P = 0.047).


CONCLUSIONS
This study characterized ZAG protein expression in PCa using a semi-automated system. ZAG expression level found to have an independent prognostic value for pT2 patients.
Descazeaud
Aurelien
A
Department of Urology, Henri Mondor Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
de la Taille
Alexandre
A
Allory
Yves
Y
Faucon
Hugo
H
Salomon
Laurent
L
Bismar
Tarek
T
Kim
Robert
R
Hofer
Matthias D
MD
Chopin
Dominique
D
Abbou
Claude C
CC
Rubin
Mark A
MA
D054392:Adipokines; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001331:Automation; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D000090203:Zn-Alpha-2-Glycoprotein
D054392:Adipokines; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; C488891:AZGP1 protein, human; D000090203:Zn-Alpha-2-Glycoprotein