Relation of Resistin to Prostate Cancer Differentiation and Aggressiveness

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Because insulin resistance may be related to prostate cancer (PCa) initiation and progression, and adipokines target preneoplastic cells, leading to activation of signaling cascades that can promote aberrant cellular proliferation and transformation to a malignant phenotype, we hypothesized that increased resistin protein in prostate epithelial cells might underlie the association between PCa and insulin resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the intensity of prostate epithelial resistin expression by immunohistochemical staining in 67 patients with PCa and 26 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The body mass index (BMI) and age of the groups were similar. Patients with PCa were stratified into 3 groups according to the spread of the disease as organ-confined, locally advanced, or metastatic disease and according to the grade. RESULTS: The intensity of prostate epithelial resistin expression and the mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were significantly greater in the PCa group than in the BPH group. Additionally, according to progression of PCa, mean PSA, mean age, and the intensity of resistin expression were significantly increased. With higher Gleason score of PCa, age and the intensity of resistin expression were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study reveal that the intensity of prostate epithelial resistin expression is higher in those with PCa than in those with BPH. A positive association was found between the histologic grade and stage of PCa and the intensity of resistin expression.