Evaluation of neuroendocrine and proliferative markers in prostatic adenocarcinomas
- Publication date
- Publisher
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Certain marker studies have practical importance
in the biology of prostate cancer. The purpose of this
study was to determine whether the quantification of certain
neuroendocrine and proliferative markers obtained during
transurethral resection or prostatectomy, would help in the
prognostic evaluation of prostatic adenocarcinomas.
Methods: The present study was performed on samples
obtained from two groups of patients with acinar type prostatic
adenocarcinoma. Each group comprised 21 patients with Gleason
scores .7 (high-grade) and Gleason scores .6 (low-grade).
Tumors with their surrounding benign tissues were stained with
Ki67 and chromogranin A (ChA), and their cell proliferation and
neuroendocrine differentiation were examined.
Results: The mean number of neuroendocrine cells (ChA positive
cells) in high grade tumors was 21% and that of low grade
was less than one percent (P<0.001). Whereas, the mean proliferative
index determined by Ki67 positive cells was 49% in high
grade tumors as compared to less than 4% in low grade tumors
(P<0.001). No significant difference was found between the
mean percentages of chA cells in the non-tumoral tissues of
high grade (2.7%) and low grade (1.9%). The mean proliferative
index in the non-tumoral tissues of high grade (2.8%) was
significantly higher (P<0.001) than of low grade tumors (1.4%).
Conclusion: The usage of proliferative index seems to be an acceptable
diagnostic index for the determination of tumor grading