Prognostic significance of YWHAZ expression in localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) patients are often over-treated because of the lack of biomarkers needed to distinguish the lethal from the indolent form of PCa. YWHAZ was recently identified as a potential therapeutic target in castration-resistant PCa (CRPC). Therefore, this study focused on determining the prognostic significance of YWHAZ in localized PCa. METHODS: YWHAZ expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from 213 men who underwent radical prostatectomy. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to assess the prognostic value of YWHAZ intensity. RESULTS: High YWHAZ expression was strongly associated with high Gleason score at the time of diagnosis (P < 0.001) and PSA relapse (P = 0.001). Importantly, patients with high expression of YWHAZ had a higher risk of CRPC development (P = 0.002) and reduced survival time (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that YWHAZ could serve as a promising prognostic biomarker in localized PCa to predict poor prognosis and to identify a subgroup of tumors, which might benefit from earlier adjuvant or YWHAZ-targeted therapy.

Increased sensitivity of the indirect immunofluorescence method by use of a tertiary fluorochrome-labeled antibody.

The standard protocol for indirect immunofluorescence was modified by the addition of a third layer of antibodies. These antibodies were conjugated with the same fluorochrome as the secondary antibodies. This modification resulted in significant enhancement of the sensitivity of immunolabeling. The method may be useful when the standard indirect immunofluorescent technique results in weak labeling, and also to regain labeling in sections where specific fluorescence has faded.