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Overexpression of prostate stem cell antigen is associated with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Author(s) -
Feng H C,
Tsao S W,
Ngan H Y S,
Xue W C,
Kwan HS,
Siu M K Y,
Liao XY,
Wong E,
Cheung A N Y
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2007.02925.x
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , choriocarcinoma , cancer research , gestational trophoblastic disease , biology , medicine , gestation , pregnancy , genetics
Aims: Hydatidiform mole (HM) is the most common type of gestational trophoblastic disease. A proportion of patients with HM develop gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) requiring chemotherapy. The aim was to identify differentially expressed genes that are associated with development of GTN. Methods and results: Using cDNA microarray, differential expression of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) was identified in HMs that developed GTN compared with those that spontaneously regressed. Significant overexpression of PSCA RNA ( P = 0.037) and protein ( P < 0.05) in aggressive HM was verified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis in 10 first‐trimester placentas, 36 HM that subsequently regressed and 11 HM that developed GTN. A high level of PSCA expression was also found in three choriocarcinomas and three placental site trophoblastic tumours. A positive correlation was observed between PSCA expression and proliferation and apoptotic indices as assessed by Ki67 ( P = 0.01), mcm7 ( P = 0.001) and M30 ( P = 0.016), as well as p53 ( P < 0.01), p21 WAF1/CIP1 ( P < 0.01) and mdm2 ( P = 0.002) expression. Conclusions: Overexpression of PSCA is associated with development of GTN in HM. PSCA probably plays a role in the regulation of cell growth through p53‐related signaling pathways.