scholarly journals Investigation of Neural Microenvironment in Prostate Cancer in Context of Neural Density, Perineural Invasion, and Neuroendocrine Profile of Tumors

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawid Sigorski ◽  
Jacek Gulczyński ◽  
Aleksandra Sejda ◽  
Wojciech Rogowski ◽  
Ewa Iżycka-Świeszewska

BackgroundCancer stroma contains the neural compartment with specific components and action. Neural microenvironment processing includes among others axonogenesis, perineural invasion (PNI), neurosignaling, and tumor cell neural/neuroendocrine differentiation. Growing data suggest that tumor-neural crosstalk plays an important function in prostate cancer (PCa) biology. However, the mechanisms involved in PNI and axonogenesis, as well as their patho-clinical correlations in this tumor are unclear.MethodsThe present study was carried out on FFPE samples of 73 PCa and 15 benign prostate (BP) cases. Immunohistochemistry with neural markers PGP9.5, TH, and NFP was performed on constructed TMAs and selected tissue sections. The analyzed parameters of tumor innervation included small nerve density (ND) measured on pan-neural marker (PGP9.5) and TH s4tained slides, as well assessment of PNI presence and morphology. The qualitative and topographic aspects were studied. In addition, the expression of neuroendocrine marker chromogranin and NPY was assessed with dedicated indexes. The correlations of the above parameters with basic patho-clinical data such as patients’ age, tumor stage, grade, angioinvasion, and ERG status were examined.ResultsThe study showed that innervation parameters differed between cancer and BP. The neural network in PCa revealed heterogeneity, and ND PGP9.5 in tumor was significantly lower than in its periphery. The density of sympathetic TH-positive fibers and its proportion to all fibers was lower in cancer than in the periphery and BP samples. Perineural invasion was confirmed in 76% of cases, usually multifocally, occurring more commonly in tumors with a higher grade. NPY expression in PCa cells was common with its intensity often rising towards PNI. ERG+ tumors showed higher ND, more frequent PNI, and a higher stage. Moreover, chromogranin-positive cells were more pronounced in PCa with higher NPY expression.ConclusionsThe analysis showed an irregular axonal network in prostate cancer with higher neural density (panneural and adrenergic) in the surroundings and the invasive front. ND and PNI interrelated with NPY expression, neuroendocrine differentiation, and ERG status. The above findings support new evidence for the presence of autocrine and paracrine interactions in prostate cancer neural microenvironment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Xiang ◽  
Zhiguo Zhu ◽  
Lianmin Luo ◽  
Jiamin Wang ◽  
Yangzhou Liu ◽  
...  

The prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), as a predominantly prostate-specific marker, is overexpressed in most prostate cancer specimens, is positively correlated with prostate cancer androgen independence, and has the potential to be treated with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) as a gene therapy target. Using the typical androgen deprivation therapy, most tumors will progress to CRPC, as well as develop into neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) characterized by the expression of neuroendocrine markers such as enolase 2 (NSE). Our study was aimed at investigating the expressions of PSCA and NSE and the relationship between the two markers, as well as the correlation between the PSCA and NSE expressions and the clinicopathological parameters in prostate cancer specimens from 118 patients by using immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrated that the PSCA and NSE protein expressions did not correlate with the prostate cancer patients’ age or the hormone therapy but showed a significant correlation with the pathological tumor stage of prostate cancer, the Gleason score, and the presence of metastasis. There is a positive association between PSCA and NSE but a negative one between the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSCA or between PSA and NSE. High PSCA and NSE expressions correlated with a poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients. PSCA may play an important role in the progression of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC).


2005 ◽  
Vol 173 (4S) ◽  
pp. 113-113
Author(s):  
W. Marie Campana ◽  
Jessica Wang-Rodriguez ◽  
Daniel A. Nachtsheim ◽  
Ann Rearden

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie G. Kostecka ◽  
Athen Olseen ◽  
KiChang Kang ◽  
Gonzalo Torga ◽  
Kenneth J. Pienta ◽  
...  

AbstractKinesins play important roles in the progression and development of cancer. Kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1), a minus end-directed motor protein, is a novel Kinesin involved in the clustering of excess centrosomes found in cancer cells. Recently KIFC1 has shown to play a role in the progression of many different cancers, however, the involvement of KIFC1 in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) is still not well understood. This study investigated the expression and clinical significance of KIFC1 in PCa by utilizing multiple publicly available datasets to analyze KIFC1 expression in patient samples. High KIFC1 expression was found to be associated with high Gleason score, high tumor stage, metastatic lesions, high ploidy levels, and lower recurrence-free survival. These results reveal that high KIFC1 levels are associated with a poor prognosis for PCa patients and could act as a prognostic indicator for PCa patients as well.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175883592098765
Author(s):  
Vincenza Conteduca ◽  
Giulia Poti ◽  
Paola Caroli ◽  
Sabino Russi ◽  
Nicole Brighi ◽  
...  

Over the years, an increasing proportion of metastatic prostate cancer patients has been found to experience an initial bone flare phenomenon under both standard therapies (androgen deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, abiraterone, enzalutamide) and novel agents (immunotherapy, bone-targeting radioisotopes). The underlying biological mechanisms of the flare phenomenon are still elusive and need further clarification, particularly in relation to different types of treatment and their treatment response assessment. Flare phenomenon is often underestimated and, in some cases, can negatively affect clinical outcome. In cases with suspected bone flare, the treatment should be continued for a minimum of 12 more weeks before further decisions about efficacy can be taken. Physicians and patients should be aware of this effect to avoid unwarranted anxiety and inadequate early discontinuation of treatment. This review aims at highlighting new evidence on flare phenomenon arising after the introduction of new drugs extending across the biochemical, radiographic and clinical spectrum of the disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Bhagirath ◽  
Michael Liston ◽  
Theresa Akoto ◽  
Byron Lui ◽  
Barbara A. Bensing ◽  
...  

AbstractNeuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), a highly aggressive variant of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), often emerges upon treatment with androgen pathway inhibitors, via neuroendocrine differentiation. Currently, NEPC diagnosis is challenging as available markers are not sufficiently specific. Our objective was to identify novel, extracellular vesicles (EV)-based biomarkers for diagnosing NEPC. Towards this, we performed small RNA next generation sequencing in serum EVs isolated from a cohort of CRPC patients with adenocarcinoma characteristics (CRPC-Adeno) vs CRPC-NE and identified significant dysregulation of 182 known and 4 novel miRNAs. We employed machine learning algorithms to develop an ‘EV-miRNA classifier’ that could robustly stratify ‘CRPC-NE’ from ‘CRPC-Adeno’. Examination of protein repertoire of exosomes from NEPC cellular models by mass spectrometry identified thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) as a specific biomarker. In view of our results, we propose that a miRNA panel and TSP1 can be used as novel, non-invasive tools to identify NEPC and guide treatment decisions. In conclusion, our study identifies for the first time, novel non-invasive exosomal/extracellular vesicle based biomarkers for detecting neuroendocrine differentiation in advanced castration resistant prostate cancer patients with important translational implications in clinical management of these patients that is currently extremely challenging.


Author(s):  
Terence W. Friedlander ◽  
Colin C. Pritchard ◽  
Himisha Beltran

Although biopsies of metastatic prostate cancer are rarely undertaken in the clinical setting, there is increasing interest in developing personalized approaches to therapy by taking into account the genetic and phenotypic changes in an individual tumor. Indeed, analysis of metastatic prostate tumors can predict sensitivity to agents that inhibit DNA repair and resistance to novel hormonal agents, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide, and identify phenotypic changes, such as neuroendocrine differentiation, that have important clinical implications. Although obtaining metastatic tumor tissue is necessary for this genomic and molecular profiling, knowing when to biopsy, selecting the appropriate metastatic lesion, and interpreting the results are major challenges facing clinicians today. In this article, we discuss the rationale for obtaining metastatic tumor tissue, review the bioinformatic approach to analyzing these specimens, discuss the timing and approach to solid and liquid tumor biopsies, review the challenges associated with obtaining and acting on clinically relevant results, and discuss opportunities for the future.


2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Jennbacken ◽  
Tajana Tešan ◽  
Wanzhong Wang ◽  
Heléne Gustavsson ◽  
Jan-Erik Damber ◽  
...  

Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. One factor that has been implicated in the metastatic process is the cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin. In this study, we investigated if the expression of N-cadherin was influenced by androgen deprivation and was associated with metastasis in prostate cancer. The effect of androgen deprivation on N-cadherin expression was initially studied in androgen-dependent (AD) LNCaP and androgen-independent (AI) LNCaP-19 and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. Expression of N-cadherin increased in the absence of androgens in AI LNCaP-19 primary tumors and metastases and also in vitro, but not in AI PC-3 tumors, indicating a possible involvement of the androgen receptor in the regulation of N-cadherin. N-cadherin was absent in AD LNCaP tumors. No clear associations between N-cadherin and factors related with epithelial–mesenchymal transition or neuroendocrine differentiation could be established. In addition, N-cadherin was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in human prostate tumors. Expression of N-cadherin was more frequently found in tumors from patients treated with ADT than in tumors from patients with no prior hormonal treatment. N-cadherin expression was also associated with metastasis and Gleason score. Furthermore, increased N-cadherin was detected in prostate cancer biopsies already 3 months after initiation of ADT when tumors were in a regressed state. In summary the results indicate that androgen deprivation induces N-cadherin in prostate tumors. Moreover, N-cadherin was increased in castration-resistant tumors in patients with established metastases. This might indicate that castration induces molecular alterations in the tumor cells, resulting in a more invasive and metastatic phenotype.


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