Detailed analysis of histopathological parameters in radical prostatectomy specimens and PCA3 urine test results.
BACKGROUND
Due to the drawbacks of serum prostate-specific antigen, there is an ongoing search for new diagnostic and prognostic prostate cancer (PCa) markers. PCA3 has proven to be of value in the diagnosis of PCa. However, so far few attempts have been made to investigate the prognostic value of PCA3. Our objective was to further investigate the prognostic value of PCA3.


METHODS
In this study we correlated the PCA3 score in urinary sediments after digital rectal examination in 62 men with the classical prognostic parameters assessed in radical prostatectomy specimens (i.e. Gleason score, pathological tumor stage and total tumor volume) and moreover, with the expression of three immunohistochemical markers for PCa biological aggressiveness (i.e. E-cadherin, alpha-catenin and EZH2). The results from this study serve as a reflection on and a valuable adjunct to recently published results.


RESULTS
We did not find a significant correlation of the PCA3 score with the classical prognostic parameters assessed in radical prostatectomy specimens or the expression of the immunohistochemical markers for PCa biological aggressiveness. However, we did observe a trend for a higher PCA3 score in significant PCa versus insignificant PCa, aberrant E-cadherin staining versus normal E-cadherin staining and increased EZH2 staining versus normal EZH2 staining.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study we could not prove the prognostic value of PCA3. Further research with large numbers of men and adequate follow-up is needed to provide a definitive answer to the question if PCA3 is not only a diagnostic but also a prognostic PCa marker.
van Gils
Martijn P M Q
MP
Department of Urology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Hessels
Daphne
D
Hulsbergen-van de Kaa
Christina A
CA
Witjes
J Alfred
JA
Jansen
Cornelius F J
CF
Mulders
Peter F A
PF
Rittenhouse
Harry G
HG
Schalken
Jack A
JA
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000652:urine*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000652:urine*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000652:urine*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D051178:alpha Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051178:alpha Catenin; C479341:prostate cancer antigen 3, human; C498409:EZH2 protein, human; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2