The distribution of PSA, cathepsin-D, and pS2 in BPH and cancer of the prostate.

In view of the limitations associated with the present tumor markers for prostate cancer, we have examined the potential expression of two further markers, Cathepsin-D and pS2, in human prostate and attempted to link their concentrations with the histopathology of the tissue, the PSA levels and the androgenic status of the gland. Cathepsin-D and pS2 were measured in cytosol fractions obtained from 22 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 20 patients with prostate cancer (CaP) employing immunoassays specific for these markers. The concentrations of Cathepsin-D (BPH: mean +/- SEM = 18.50 +/- 1.88 nmol/g protein; CaP = 19.75 +/- 2.49 nmol/g protein) and pS2 (BPH = 1,024.7 +/- 348.06 ng/g protein; CaP = 1,513.88 +/- 268.60 ng/g protein) were not different in the two tissue types, whereas PSA in BPH tissue (1,952.27 +/- 249.93 micrograms/g protein) was significantly higher than the measurements in CaP (583.75 +/- 104.33 micrograms/g protein). However, none of the tumor marker concentrations correlated with the degree of differentiation of the tumors, and we were unable to establish any correlation with the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the tissue. In conclusion, although Cathepsin-D and pS2 are expressed in prostate tissue, it is doubtful whether they will have an active role in the management of prostate cancer.