Correlation between androgen receptor expression and FGF8 mRNA levels in patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy

Aim-To investigate the correlation between androgen receptor expression and fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) mRNA levels. Methods-39 human prostate cancers and 14 benign prostatic hypertrophy speci mens were examined immunohistochemically for androgen receptor expression a nd by in situ hybridisation and reverse transcription polymerase chain reac tion for FGF8 expression Results-In 39 tumours there was a statistically significant negative correl ation between tumour grade and FGF8 expression and a positive correlation b etween FGF8 and androgen receptor expression. All 14 benign hypertrophy spe cimens expressed moderate to high levels of FGF8 and androgen receptor. Conclusions-Loss of FGF8 may be a factor involved in the development of pro static cancer.