Immunohistochemical expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 and nm-23 H1 antioncogene in prostate cancer: Divergent correlation with clinicopathological parameters

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the main causes of morbidity and mort ality among men. Several oncogenes and growth factors have been studied in an attempt to explain the molecular basis of carcinogenesis and progress of this carcinoma. In this study we con elated the immunohistochemical expres sion of antioncogene nm-23 H1 and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-bet a1) with the clinical stage, PSA values, Gleason score and survival in pros tate cancer. Materials and Methods: Fifty nine patients with prostate cance r were evaluated. PSA measurement, Gleason score determination and clinical staging were recorded for all the patients by the time of initial diagnosi s and prior to any treatment. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 40 months. Tissue sections from representative al eas of the tumors were immunohistochemical ly stained for nm-23 H1 and TGF-beta1 The expression of these markers was c orrelated with stage, PSA values, Gleason score and survival. Results: Ther e was a negative correlation between nm-23 H1 staining and tumor stage and grade. High grade (Gleason score 8-10) and stage D tumors showed weaker sta ining than low stage and grade tumors. There was a positive correlation bet ween TGF-beta1 staining, tumor stage and serum PSA levels. Additionally, TG F-beta1 proved to be a negative predicting factor for patient survival. In tumors expressing both markers, TGF-beta1 was the one to determine the aggr essiveness of the carcinoma. Conclusions: nm-23 H1 appears to be a tumor su ppressor gene in prostate cancer, while TGF-beta1 may act as a stimulating agent provoking aggressive behavior and metastasis. Their immunohistochemic al staining may constitute complementary information in the evaluation of p rostate cancer patients.