title: C-type natriuretic peptide and its precursor: potential markers in human prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Seminal plasma offer a more organ-specific matrix for markers in prostatic disease. We hypothesized that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) expression may constitute such a new target.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, clinically localized and metastatic prostate cancer were examined for CNP and CNP precursor (proCNP) concentrations in blood and seminal plasma. Furthermore, CNP and the CNP receptor (NPR-B) mRNA contents in tissue from prostate and seminal vesicles were analyzed by qPCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CNP and NPR-B concentrations decreased with increasing tumor burden (p = 0.0027 and p = 0.0096, respectively). In contrast, seminal plasma CNP and proCNP concentrations were markedly increased with increased tumor burden (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CNP/proCNP could be new markers in human prostate cancer.
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Solvej
authors: S
authors: Lippert
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Iversen
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Brasso
authors: Jens P
authors: JP
authors: Goetze
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type
keywords: C-type natriuretic peptide; C-type natriuretic peptide receptor; CNP; NPR-B; proCNP; prostate cancer; radioimmunoassay