Nuclear protein as a prognostic factor of growth activity in prostatic adenocarcinoma.

The value of nuclear protein (NP) as a prognostic parameter in prostatic adenocarcinoma was investigated. The NP and DNA contents of two prostatic tumour lines with a well-documented hormonal dependency (PC-82, PC-EW) were compared to the NP and DNA contents of two xenografts with only partial or no response to androgen deprivation (LNCaP, PC-133). After hormonal treatment the PC-82 and PC-EW tumours showed a significant decrease in the NP/DNA ratio, which coincided with a decrease in the proliferative activity [anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BRDU) antibody-labelling index] of the same specimens. In the fast-growing LNCaP tumour an increased percentage of cells with high NP and DNA contents was found. The tumours PC-82, PC-EW, and PC-133 with lower proliferative activity showed lower nuclear protein and DNA contents. In a pilot study of 20 prostatic biopsies the amount of nuclear protein and DNA in grade 1-3 tumours as well as in dysplasia was measured. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.002) were found between grade 1 and grade 3 tumours. The mean NP/DNA ratio was increased in high-grade malignancies. Nuclear protein appeared to be a potential parameter in predicting growth activity in prostatic carcinoma.