Expression of Survivin Correlated with Antiapoptosis in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer

Jeon, Hwang Gyun; Jeong, Hyeon; Kwak, Cheol; Lee, Sang Eun

Abstract

PURPOSE: Survivin, a novel inhibitor of apoptosis(IAP), is expressed in many human cancers, but its potential role in prostate cancer is unknown. The expressions of survivin in benign prostate hyperplasia, localized prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer were investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin sections by a monoclonal antibody for survivin using the standard avidin- biotin-peroxidase technique was performed in 19, 20 and 30 cases with benign prostate hyperplasia, localized prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer, respectively. The relationships between the expression of survivin and the clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed.
RESULTS
No survivin expression was found in benign prostate hyperplasia, but not in prostate cancer. The expression of survivin was observed in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells, but not in the neighboring normal tissues. The immunoreactivity of survivin increased from localized prostate cancer (60.0%) to metastatic prostate cancer(76.7%), but did not differ significantly. A statistically significant association was observed between the expression of survivin and the Gleason score(p=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Survivin is expressed in the majority of Prostate cancers and is related to the Gleason score. Survivin may be a potential target for apoptosis-based therapy.