BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the expressions of the bcl-2, bax, fas and c-myc apoptosis-related genes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (CaP) to determine whether significant differences exist within each disease and between the two groups of patients. The correlation between gene expression and tumour diameter, stage, Gleason score and serum PSA was also investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tissue specimens from 51 cases of BPH and 27 cases of CaP were examined for bcl-2, bax, fas and c-myc expression by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In BPH, bcl-2 and bax gave the weakest signals (p < 0.001). In CaP, bcl-2 was the least expressed gene (p < 0.001). In both patient groups, fas and c-myc were the most highly expressed genes (p < 0.05). Both bcl-2 and bax were expressed at higher levels in CaP than in BPH (p < 0.02). The bcl-2/bax ratio was lower in CaP than in BPH (p < 0.001). Bcl-2 was more highly expressed in high Gleason grade (> 7) tumours (p < 0.05). In the BPH group, bax showed a positive relationship with fas (p < 0.01), while the bcl-2 level inversely correlated with that of c-myc (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that all the apoptosis-related genes were expressed in both BPH and CaP. The stronger expression of bax and the lower bcl-2/bax ratio observed in CaP may suggest a pro-apoptotic stimulus, while the higher bcl-2 levels appear to counterbalance the tendency to cell death.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the expressions of the bcl-2, bax, fas and c-myc apoptosis-related genes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (CaP) to determine whether significant differences exist within each disease and between the two groups of patients. The correlation between gene expression and tumour diameter, stage, Gleason score and serum PSA was also investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tissue specimens from 51 cases of BPH and 27 cases of CaP were examined for bcl-2, bax, fas and c-myc expression by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In BPH, bcl-2 and bax gave the weakest signals (p < 0.001). In CaP, bcl-2 was the least expressed gene (p < 0.001). In both patient groups, fas and c-myc were the most highly expressed genes (p < 0.05). Both bcl-2 and bax were expressed at higher levels in CaP than in BPH (p < 0.02). The bcl-2/bax ratio was lower in CaP than in BPH (p < 0.001). Bcl-2 was more highly expressed in high Gleason grade (> 7) tumours (p < 0.05). In the BPH group, bax showed a positive relationship with fas (p < 0.01), while the bcl-2 level inversely correlated with that of c-myc (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that all the apoptosis-related genes were expressed in both BPH and CaP. The stronger expression of bax and the lower bcl-2/bax ratio observed in CaP may suggest a pro-apoptotic stimulus, while the higher bcl-2 levels appear to counterbalance the tendency to cell death.
Authors: Li Yan Khor; Jennifer Moughan; Tahseen Al-Saleem; Elizabeth H Hammond; Varagur Venkatesan; Seth A Rosenthal; Mark A Ritter; Howard M Sandler; Gerald E Hanks; William U Shipley; Alan Pollack Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2007-06-15 Impact factor: 12.531
Authors: Domenico Coppola; Cecilia Oliveri; Zena Sayegh; David Boulware; Yoshinori Takahashi; Julio Pow-Sang; Julie Y Djeu; Hong-Gang Wang Journal: Clin Genitourin Cancer Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 2.872
Authors: Su Kang Kim; Joo-Ho Chung; Byung-Cheol Lee; Sang Won Lee; Kang Hyo Lee; Young Ock Kim Journal: Int Neurourol J Date: 2014-12-29 Impact factor: 2.835
Authors: Letteria Minutoli; Mariagrazia Rinaldi; Herbert Marini; Natasha Irrera; Giovanni Crea; Cesare Lorenzini; Domenico Puzzolo; Andrea Valenti; Antonina Pisani; Elena B Adamo; Domenica Altavilla; Francesco Squadrito; Antonio Micali Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2016-08-11 Impact factor: 5.923