Transcription factor 4 expression in circulating tumor cells from castration-resistant prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine differentiation is partly caused by antiandrogen therapy and exhibits an androgen receptor-independent growth mechanism. We hypothesized that the expression of transcription factor 4, an inducer of neuroendocrine differentiation, in circulating tumor cells is related to drug resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer. CASE PRESENTATION We evaluate the messenger ribonucleic acid expression of transcription factor 4 in circulating tumor cells from 17 patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and compared these levels between patients receiving antiandrogen therapies and those who were resistant to antiandrogen therapies and receiving chemotherapies. The expression of transcription factor 4 in circulating tumor cells was significantly higher among patients receiving chemotherapies. CONCLUSION: This study shows that transcription factor 4 is higher in the group of patients who were judged by their physicians to need chemotherapy treatment.