Expression of potential molecular markers in prostate cancer: correlation with progression in patients after endocrine therapy

Objective To evaluate the expression of molecular markers in prostate cancer and to clarify the significance of these markers as prognostic indicators for androgen deprivation therapy. Methods A series of 116 prostate cancer patients under androgen deprivation therapy as a single treatment was reviewed. Expression levels of 7 proteins, including androgen receptor(AR),E-cadherin, Chromogranin A(CgA) , Ki-67, Survivin, EZH2 and hepsin, were measured by immunohistochemical staining. Results Of the 7 molecules. Ki67,EZH2 and Survivin expression were significantly associated with several conventional prognostic factors. Univariate analysis identified clinical stage, Glea-son scores,pretreatment serum PSA level, Ki-67 and Survivin expression as significant predictors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression after endocrine therapy. Of these significant factors, Survivin expression, clinical stage and Gleason scores appeared to be independently related to PSA progression after endocrine therapy by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, there were significant differences in PSA progression-free survival according to positive numbers of these three independent risk factors. Conclusion Survivin could be a useful independent prognostic factor in prostate cancer with endocrine therapy, besides clinical stage and Gleason score. Key words: Prostatic neoplasms;  Carcinoma;  Endocrine therapy;  Survivin