engleski

The APC gene: DNA methylation and protein expression in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a malignancy with high incidence and prevalence rates which are expected to rise further in the following years. In the search for new biomarkers, DNA methylation has been recognized as a key event in PCa development and progression. Therefore, in the present research, DNA methylation of the APC gene in liquid biopsies and tumor tissue of PCa patients, as well as its expression on protein level were investigated. Liquid biopsy samples (blood and ejaculate) and prostate tissue samples were taken from 42 patients with early-stage PCa and 55 with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The degree and pattern of DNA methylation were investigated using pyrosequencing, while protein expression of APC was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. In the blood and seminal plasma of prostate cancer patients compared to BPH patients, there was no significant difference in cfDNA methylation of the APC gene. Moreover, literature data suggesting DNA hypermethylation in tumor tissue compared to surrounding healthy tissue or BPH tissue have not been confirmed. Analysis of APC protein expression showed that APC has higher expression in tumor epithelia than epithelia of surrounding healthy tissue or BPH tissue. In tumor stroma, APC had lower expression compared to the stroma of surrounding healthy tissue or BPH tissue. Based on these results, cfDNA methylation of APC does not have the potential as a biomarker for prostate cancer and its differentiation from BPH. Changes in APC expression on protein level have potential as prostate cancer biomarkers for immunohistochemistry purpose since their expression in tumor epithelium and stroma differs from surrounding healthy and BPH tissue.

prostate cancer ; APC ; biomarkers

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