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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
High expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase gene in prostate cancer
Chantal Feder-Mengus1, Stephen Wyler, Tvrtko Hudolin
1ICFS, Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. cfeder@uhbs.ch
Abstract:
Arginase 2, inducible- and endothelial-nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS and eNOS), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and TGF-beta, might impair immune functions in prostate cancer (PCA) patients. However, their expression was not comparatively analysed in PCA and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We evaluated the expression of these genes in PCA and BPH tissues. Seventy-six patients (42 BPH, 34 PCA) were enrolled. Arginase 2, eNOS and iNOS gene expression was similar in BPH and PCA tissues. TGF-beta1 gene expression was higher in BPH than in PCA tissues (p=0.035). IDO gene expression was more frequently detectable (p=0.00007) and quantitatively higher (p=0.00001) in PCA tissues than in BPH. IDO protein, expressed in endothelial cells from both BPH and PCA, was detectable in tumour cells in PCA showing evidence of high specific gene expression. In these patients, IDO gene expression correlated with kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in sera. Thus high expression of IDO gene is specifically detectable in PCA.
Insights
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) gene expression is significantly higher in prostate cancer (PCA) tissues compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This finding highlights IDO as a potential biomarker for PCA detection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Prostate cancer (PCA) immune evasion may involve enzymes like arginase 2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and TGF-beta.
- Comparative analysis of these enzyme expressions in PCA versus benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively evaluate the gene expression of arginase 2, iNOS, eNOS, IDO, and TGF-beta in prostate cancer (PCA) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues.
- To investigate the potential of these molecules as biomarkers in PCA.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis of arginase 2, eNOS, iNOS, TGF-beta1, and IDO in 76 patient tissue samples (42 BPH, 34 PCA).
- IDO protein detection in tissues.
- Correlation analysis between IDO gene expression and serum kynurenine/tryptophan ratio.
Main Results:
- Arginase 2, eNOS, and iNOS gene expression levels were similar between BPH and PCA tissues.
- TGF-beta1 gene expression was significantly higher in BPH tissues than in PCA tissues (p=0.035).
- IDO gene expression was more frequently detected (p=0.00007) and quantitatively higher (p=0.00001) in PCA tissues than in BPH tissues. IDO protein was found in tumor cells of PCA with high gene expression. IDO gene expression correlated with serum kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in PCA patients.
Conclusions:
- High expression of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) gene is specifically detectable in prostate cancer (PCA) tissues.
- IDO may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing PCA from BPH.
