Expression Of Survivin And FasL Protein In Prostate Cancer And Their Clinical Significance

IntroductionProstate cancer incidence is increasing while the current therapy cannot cure the advanced or androgen independent prostate cancer, and genes therapy may be helping. Prostate cancer is also attributed to gene diseases, which cell apoptosis mechanism isn't normal. Survivin is a new important member of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family. FasL belongs the superfamily members of tumor necrosis factor and nerve growth factor receptor, which is expressed in many kinds of cells' surface. Down-regulation of Fas expression and up-regulation of FasL expression can be found in many tumor cells, which is related to the clearance of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte and the inhibition of anti-tumor immunity and participate in the immune escape of tumor. The study examined the expression of Survivin and FasL in prostate cancer by using immunohistochemical techniques and their clinical significance.Subjects and methodsThe 20 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with an average age of 78.9 years ( range 74～89 yrs ), supply the specimens through transvesical prostatectomy. And the 30 cases of prostate cancer, with an average age of 77.6 years ( range 70～88 yrs ), supply the specimens through transurethral prostatectomy or transrectal biopsy before receiving androgen-blocking therapy. Clinical stage, 6 case were phase A, 11 phase B, 8 phase C and 5 phase D. According to Gleason grade system, 7 cases belong to well-differentiated adencarcinoma, 14 moderately differentiated, 9 poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Specimens fixed with formalin and embedded with paraffin were cut into 4μm. In order to detect the expression of Survivin and FasL, immunohistochemistry staining ( SABC method) was used. Staining index above 10% positive, otherwise negative. SPSS 12.0 statistical software was used.ResultsIn 30 cases of PCa, the positive rate of Survivin protein was 76.67%, but in 20 cases of BPH, the positive rate was only 15 % (the difference significant, P<0.05 ) . There was no relationship between Survivin protein expression and clinical stage. But there was relationship between Survivin protein expression and Gleason tumor grades. FasL positive rate was 70% in PCa and 10% in BPH, with significant difference ( P <0.05 ) , and the positive rate in PCa was related to clinical stage and pathological grade. Expression of Survivin was positively correlated with expression of FasL.ConclusionsSurvivin and FasL expression in PCa are high , specific. So Survivin and FasL genes may play an important role in pathogenesis of PCa, and they may have a synergic role in formation and progression of PCa. Survivin and FasL probably become the potential drug molecular target during the treatment of PCa.