New molecular factors have been characterized that are associated with the
prognosis of prostate carcinoma patients, including p53 status and angiogen
esis, We reported recently that mutant p53 (mp53) was associated with decre
ased expression of an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis, thrombospondin-
1 (TSP-1), and increased microvessel density in melanoma and breast cancer.
In this study, we performed a similar analysis on primary prostate carcino
ma to determine whether these factors were associated with each other or pa
tient outcomes. Paraffin-embedded specimens of 98 cases of primary prostate
carcinoma were obtained and examined to confirm tissue diagnosis and Gleas
on scores. Carcinoma-specific levels of p53, TSP-1, and tumor angiogenesis
were determined using semiquantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods.
Acquisition of mp53 was significantly associated with decreased TSP-1 (P =
0.002) and increased angiogenesis (P < 0.0001), An angiogenesis index integ
rating mp53, TSP-1, and angiogenesis (CD31) scores was found to be an indep
endent predictor of survival in univariate and multivariate analyses that i
ncluded Gleason score, clinical stage, and patient age. Further validation
of the angiogenesis index in prostate carcinoma may provide a new tool to s
tratify patient risk.