Thrombin expression in prostate: a novel finding.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A variable repertoire of coagulation protein expression is observed in different cancers. We evaluated expression of thrombin in prostate tissue. METHODS: Detection of thrombin was performed using quantitative real-time PCR in fresh tissue and in situ hybridization (ISH) in archival prostate tissue and by immunohistochemistry of prostate tissue microarrays. RESULTS: (Pro)thrombin mRNA expression was detected in cancer tissue and localized to prostatic epithelium and stroma by ISH. Thrombin protein was detected in stroma of benign and malignant epithelium (p <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prostate tissue is a rich reservoir of thrombin. This may have potential for developing antithrombin-based cancer therapy.