aFGF immunoreactivity in prostate cancer and its co-localization with bFGFand FGF8

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have been implicated in the development of numerous malignancies including prostate cancer, In a pilot study it has b een shown that FGF8 mRNA is up-regulated in prostate cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine whether aFGF and bFGF were co-expressed wit h FGF8 in human prostate cancer, Twenty-nine cases of prostate cancer of di fferent histological grades were examined. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to study aFGF and bFGF expression. In the light of the results, a FGF immunoreactivity was studied in a further 43 cases. aFGF and bFGF immun oreactivity was identified in the cytoplasm of the malignant prostatic epit helium. aFGF was overexpressed in 62/72 (86.1 per cent) cases and bFGF in 1 9/29 (65.5 per cent). High levels of aFGF immunoreactivity mere noted in ar eas of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). In this series , aFGF immunoreactivity was most commonly observed and correlated closely w ith Gleason score and tumour stage (p=0.007 and 0.007, respectively). Go-lo calization of aFGF, bFGF, and FGF8 was detected in 9/29 (31.0 per cent) cas es. There was a significant correlation between aFGF and FGF8 expression. I n conclusion, aFGF, bFGF, and FGF8 are co-localized in human prostate cance r; they may have a synergistic effect in prostate cancer growth and progres sion. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.