Telomerase RNA expression and DNA ploidy as prognostic markers of prostate carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation between telomerase RNA expression and DNA ploidy status with clinicopathological parameters and biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.


METHODS
Telomerase RNA expression and DNA ploidy were evaluated in imprint smear samples obtained from 112 prostates after radical prostatectomy. The results were correlated with pathological stage, Gleason score and serum PSA.


RESULTS
Positive telomerse RNA expression was detected in 67.8% of prostate carcinomas. The multiple linear regression model showed a statistically significance increase in telomerase RNA expression with increased Gleason score (P < 0.0001) and preoperative serum PSA values (P = 0.0125). DNA ploidy status also varied significantly with Gleason score (P < 0.0001) and preoperative serum PSA values (P = 0.0110). Five patients with diploid tumors and negative telomerase RNA expression developed a recurrence. However, recurrence was associated with DNA aneuploidy (P = 0.001) as well as with high telomerase RNA overexpression (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that telomerase RNA expression and DNA ploidy could be additional markers in the field of prognosis of prostate carcinomas.
Bantis
Athanassios
A
Urology Department, University Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Patsouris
Efstratios
E
Gonidi
Maria
M
Kavantzas
Nikolaos
N
Tsipis
Angelos
A
Athanassiadou
Anna-Maria
AM
Aggelonidou
Eleni
E
Athanassiadou
Pauline
P
D000368:Aged; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D018450:Disease Progression; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011003:Ploidies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D012313:RNA; D019098:Telomerase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen