Relationship of bcl-2 and pp125(FAK) expression to outcome of radiation therapy in prostate carcinoma

We designed this study to assess the correlation between oncogenes, FAK (fo cal adhesion kinase), and CD44 expression and radiation therapy outcome in prostate carcinoma. Tissue samples from 22 patients with localized prostate cancer were evaluated with immunohistochemical stains, using various monoc lonal antibodies (mAb against p53, bcl-2, CD44 and FAK) applied to stored f ixed-paraffin-embedded TURF specimens. All specimens were re-scored by Glea son's method. On univariate analysis, we found that pre-treatment PSA, Glea son score and bcl-2 expression are significantly associated with disease pr ogression after radiotherapy. Multivariate analysis by a Cox regression mod el revealed a significant association of bcl-2 expression with poor disease control. Both univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated a correlat ion between FAK expression and poor survival. These results suggest that bc l-2 and FAK expression, as well as PSA and Gleason score, may be useful pre dictive markers of clinical response to radiation therapy for prostate carc inoma.