Abstract
Background:
Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is associated with tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TP mRNA expression in the angiogenesis of prostate cancer (PC).
Materials and methods:
Prostatic tissues were obtained from 37 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. TP and TP mRNA expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, microvessel density (MVD) and blood flow were studied as markers of angiogenesis.
Results:
The level of TP mRNA expression significantly correlated with the TP expression level, MVD and Gleason score in a group where TP expression was predominantly localized to stromal cells rather than malignant cells within the tumor. It also correlated with VEGF expression and blood flow, but not with clinical findings including T category and serum PSA level.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that the overexpression of TP mRNA by stromal cells within tumors plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis of PC.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / blood supply
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Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
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Adenocarcinoma / enzymology*
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Adenocarcinoma / genetics
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Aged
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Antigens, Neoplasm / blood
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Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
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Blood Flow Velocity
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Endothelial Growth Factors / biosynthesis
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Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics
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Humans
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Laser-Doppler Flowmetry
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Lymphokines / biosynthesis
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Lymphokines / genetics
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
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Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
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Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / diagnostic imaging
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / enzymology*
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
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Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood
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Prostatic Neoplasms / blood supply
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Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
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Prostatic Neoplasms / enzymology*
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Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis*
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RNA, Neoplasm / biosynthesis*
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Stromal Cells / metabolism
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Thymidine Phosphorylase / biosynthesis
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Thymidine Phosphorylase / genetics*
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Thymidine Phosphorylase / physiology
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Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Substances
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Antigens, Neoplasm
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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Endothelial Growth Factors
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Lymphokines
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Neoplasm Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Neoplasm
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
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Thymidine Phosphorylase
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Prostate-Specific Antigen