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An immunohistochemical study of chromogranin A and human epidermal growth factor‐2 expression using initial prostate biopsy specimens from patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer
Author(s) -
Yamada Yoshiaki,
Nakamura Kogenta,
Aoki Shigeyuki,
Taki Tomohiro,
Naruse Katsuya,
Matsubara Hiroyuki,
Tobiume Motoi,
Zennami Kenji,
Katsuda Remi,
Honda Nobuaki
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2006.06500.x
Subject(s) - chromogranin a , medicine , prostate cancer , neuroendocrine differentiation , immunohistochemistry , prostate , pathology , prostate biopsy , pca3 , biopsy , oncology , survival rate , cancer
OBJECTIVES To investigate, using prostate needle‐biopsy specimens at diagnosis from patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer, whether the relationship between neuroendocrine (NE) cell differentiation and human epidermal growth factor‐2 (HER‐2) expression is a prognostic factor for outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 50 patients diagnosed as having bone metastatic prostate cancer between January 1998 and December 2001. We tested for NE cell differentiation by using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for chromogranin A (CgA), and for HER‐2, using a commercial test for IHC staining. RESULTS Eleven patients (22%) were positive for CgA; there was a significant difference in the time to recurrence ( P = 0.025) but no significant differences in cause‐specific survival rate or survival rate after recurrence. In all, 21 patients (42%) were positive for HER‐2; the cause‐specific survival rate, time to recurrence and survival rate after recurrence were all significantly more favourable in the HER‐2‐negative group ( P = 0.008, 0.049 and 0.025, respectively). In the 49 patients for whom both factors could be determined, there was no significant correlation between CgA and HER‐2 positivity. CONCLUSIONS NE cell differentiation of the primary tumour in patients with bone metastatic prostate cancer does not reflect the prognosis, whereas HER‐2 overexpression is a prognostic factor for an unfavourable outcome. These results suggest that NE cell differentiation is not induced by HER‐2.