Expression of tumor-associated trypsinogens (TAT-1 and TAT-2) in prostate cancer.

Background: Trypsinogens are pancreatic serine proteinases and expressed in several cancers as tumor-associated trypsinogens (TAT). Trypsin mediates activation of pro-uPA and pro-MMPs, thus promoting angiogenesis and tumor invasion. Recently, we described expression of TAT in the human male genital tract and now we studied TAT in relation to PSA in PCa.

Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic carcinoma.

Knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology of prostate cancer remain rudimentary. However, insight into epigenetic events and cellular interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding milieu has recently opened up a broader concept of cancer development. Throughout the entire process of prostate cancer aetiology, progression and metastasis, the microenvironment of the local host tissue is an active participant, and the selective pressure exercised on the malignant cells changes with the tumour-host setting.

Localization and mRNA expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes in human prostatic tissue and prostate cancer cell lines.

Somatostatin (SST) plays an important regulatory role in the physiological control of various organs including the prostate. Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and SST analogs are potential targets for prostate cancer treatment, especially since it has been shown that SST analogues are clinically effective in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The presence of SST containing neuroendocrine (NE) cells in the epithelium of the human prostate and their suggested role in the paracrine regulation of this gland prompted us to study the potential expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in human prostatic tissue and prostate cancer cell lines.

Expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 and 4 in human benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer.

Background: The presence of receptor subtypes for the inhibitory peptide somatostatin in prostatic tissue has been a controversial issue with conflicting reports. To elucidate whether prostatic epithelial cells express mRNA for somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtype 2 and 4, we have investigated the localization of SSTR2 and SSTR4 transcripts in prostatic tissues by in situ hybridization.

Methods: Nonradioactive in situ hybridization was performed with specific fluorescein-labeled SSTR2 and SSTR4 riboprobes on consecutive sections of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer tissues.