Expression of pepsinogen II with androgen and estrogen receptors in human prostate carcinoma

The expression of pepsinogen II (PG II), an aspartyl proteinase usually inv olved in the digestion of proteins in the stomach, was immunohistochemicall y investigated in conjunction with androgen (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) status in prostate adenocarcinomas, Of a total of 38 samples obtained from radical prostatectomies, 23 tumors (60.5%) were positive for PG II and the re was a significant positive correlation to the expression of AR but not t o ER, Cells positive for PO II were localized mainly to the peripheral zone s of tumorous glands which, in normal prostate, are negative, and in areas also expressing AR, In addition, a significant correlation between AR and E R was detected in the prostate carcinomas examined, which suggests a hormon e-dependent status, On the basis of these results, PG II expression might b e closely related to hormonal alterations associated with the development o f prostate tumors.