OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of Livin, an apoptosis inhibitor gene, in prostate cancer, and to investigate its clinical and pathological implications. METHODS: The expressions of Livin were detected in 62 cases of neoplastic prostate tissues and 10 cases of normal prostate tissues by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (SP method). RESULTS: The Livin gene was highly expressed in neoplastic prostate tissues, but not in normal ones. Positive expression of Livin proteins was observed in 37 of the 62 (59.7%) tumor samples and accounted for 28.6%, 60.0% and 83.3% in the high, middle and low differentiation prostatic carcinoma groups respectively, with significant difference between the high and low groups. Livin positivity was also significantly correlated with tumor stages, increasing with tumor progression. CONCLUSION: Livin may play an essential role in prostate carcinogenesis and serve as a marker for the prognosis of prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of Livin, an apoptosis inhibitor gene, in prostate cancer, and to investigate its clinical and pathological implications. METHODS: The expressions of Livin were detected in 62 cases of neoplastic prostate tissues and 10 cases of normal prostate tissues by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (SP method). RESULTS: The Livin gene was highly expressed in neoplastic prostate tissues, but not in normal ones. Positive expression of Livin proteins was observed in 37 of the 62 (59.7%) tumor samples and accounted for 28.6%, 60.0% and 83.3% in the high, middle and low differentiation prostatic carcinoma groups respectively, with significant difference between the high and low groups. Livin positivity was also significantly correlated with tumor stages, increasing with tumor progression. CONCLUSION:Livin may play an essential role in prostate carcinogenesis and serve as a marker for the prognosis of prostate cancer.