ALTERED SACCHARIDE SEQUENCES IN 2 GROUPS OF PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC PROSTATIC-CARCINOMA

Objective To investigate the hypothesis that primary prostatic carcino mas with metastases to different sites (lymph nodes or bone) show vary ing expression of cell surface and cytoplasmic glycoconjugates. Patien ts and methods A group of 14 patients with primary prostatic carcinoma with lymph node metastases but no bone metastases has previously been shown to have an increased survival time. This group was compared wit h a control group of 14 patients with lymph node-negative, bone metast asis-positive primary prostatic carcinoma using a panel of biotinylate d lectins revealed by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. The results were analysed semiquantitatively and differences in binding p atterns between the two groups were sought. Results No significant dif ferences were seen using the LCA, LTA, UEA-1, WFA, VVA or SBA lectins. The group with bone metastases but no lymph node involvement showed s ignificantly increased binding for the ECA and AHA lectins, both befor e and after neuraminidase pre-treatment, compared with the lymph node- positive group. Conclusions These results suggest that tumours lacking or having a reduced affinity for binding sites for both Gal beta 1-3G alNac (Type I oligosaccharide structures-AHA) and Gal beta 1-4GlcNac ( Type II oligosaccharide structures-ECA) sequences are more likely to d evelop lymph node metastases and less likely to develop bone metastase s and thereby increasing the patient's chances of survival. This is fu rther evidence that the metastatic potential of tumours per se and the ultimate site of distal metastases from such tumours is affected in p art by the glycoconjugates expressed on their cell surfaces and indica tes that metastatic phenotypes for prostatic carcinoma exists.