Clinical Significance of the Expression of Tubulin alpha and betaII in Prostate Cancer

Kim, Tae Heung; Kim, Tae Hyung; Lee, Shin Young; Kim, Young Sun; Kim, Mi Kyung; Myung, Soon Chul

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study examined the significance of tubulin alpha and beta II expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHDOS: A total 103 cases diagnosed with either BPH or prostate cancer were divided into 4 groups: BPH(n=25), localized prostate cancer(n=41), locally advanced prostate cancer(n=18), metastatic prostate cancer(n=18). The tissues were taken through a transurethral resection of the prostate, suprapubic prostatectomy, prostatic needle biopsy or radical retropubic prostatectomy. The expression was measured by immunohistochemical staining. The degree of expression was graded on a 4-point scale. The data was compared in terms of stage, the serum prostatic specific antigen(PSA) level and Gleason score. The statistical comparisons were made using one-way ANOVA test and a Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS
The levels of tubulin alpha and betaII expression were stronger in the patients with prostate cancer than those with BPH(p<0.001). On the other hand, there was no difference between metastatic prostate cancer and localized prostate cancer(p>0.05). The level of tubulin alpha expression was stronger in the patients with a Gleason score > or =8 than in those of Gleason score < or =7(p<0.05), but there was no such difference in tubulin betaII expression. The level of tubulin alpha and betaII expression was stronger in the patients with a serum PSA level > or =4ng/ml than in those with the serum PSA level <4ng/ml(p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The expression of tubulin alpha and betaII may be associated with the development of prostate cancer. These might be used as useful markers for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment response.