Pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostate-specific antigen in hyperplasia and human prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to relate the expression, analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, with serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in normal and pathologic (hyperplasia and cancer) prostate tissues to elucidate their possible role in tumor progression. We are also discussing the possible use of these cytokines as a potential therapeutic target.


METHODS
The study was carried out in 5 normal, 25 benign prostatic hyperplastic (BPH) and 17 cancerous human prostates (PC). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis were performed. Serum levels of PSA were assayed by an immulite autoanalyzer.


RESULTS
The most relevant results showed that in BPH, IL-1alpha, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were only expressed in patients with PSA serum levels of 0-4 or 4-20 ng/ml, but not in the group >20 ng/ml. In PC these cytokines were only expressed in patients with PSA serum levels >4 ng/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
In PC there was an association between the high expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-1), elevated serum levels of PSA and cancer progression. A better understanding of the biologic mechanism of this association may provide new targets for therapy in these patients.
Bouraoui
Yosra
Y
Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Alcalá, E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
Ricote
Mónica
M
García-Tuñón
Ignacio
I
Rodriguez-Berriguete
Gonzalo
G
Touffehi
Mounir
M
Rais
Nawfel Ben
NB
Fraile
Benito
B
Paniagua
Ricardo
R
Oueslati
Ridha
R
Royuela
Mar
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen