METHODS:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) showed similar localization patterns for CB and
stefin A and a ratio of 1 was indicated by CB =
stefin A. Confocal studies indicated that most CB and
stefin A sites in BPH glandular cells overlapped as shown by the yellow fluorescence of their co-localization. We found considerable variability in individual localization of CB and
stefin A within and between Gleason histologic scores for
prostate cancers. This variability was also found in Gleason score 6
tumors that are otherwise considered similar histologically and morphologically. Negative control sections did not show localization of CB by
FITC,
stefin A by Cy3 or yellow fluorescence for co-localization. Our analysis of the ratio of CB to
stefin A showed three patterns, namely CB =
stefin A, CB >
stefin A, and CB <
stefin A, within each Gleason score evaluated by us. Confocal microscopy showed more sites of yellow fluorescence when the ratio was CB =
stefin A than those found in CB >
stefin A or CB <
stefin A. Statistical analyses showed
prostate cancer cases with ratios of CB >
stefin A (P < 0.05) and CB <
stefin A (P < 0.05) significantly different from normal prostate and BPH which had ratios of CB =
stefin A. Regression analysis did not show any specific relationship between the ratio of CB to
stefin A and Gleason scores, clinical stages, and serum total
prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in
prostate cancers. Analysis of our data indicates that the homeostatic balance between the
enzyme and inhibitor was altered even in Gleason histologic score 6
tumors that are usually considered histologically similar by glandular differentiation.
CONCLUSIONS: