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Updated: May 5, 2026
MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR qPCR
Published on: May 16, 2012
The prognostic value of Smad4 mRNA in patients with prostate cancer
Da-Tian Zhang1, Jian-Guo Shi, Yian Liu
1Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China.
Abstract:
The tumor suppressor gene Smad4 has been localized to chromosome 18q21.1 and is a member of the Smad family that mediates the transforming growth factor β signaling pathway suppressing epithelial cell growth. However, variable expression of Smad4 messenger RNA (mRNA) has been reported, with a loss in some cancers and increased expression in others. The aim of the present study was to investigate the Smad4 mRNA expression in prostate cancer tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues and its potential relevance to clinicopathological variables and prognosis. The expression change of Smad4 mRNA was detected by using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The data showed that the Smad4 mRNA expression level in prostate cancer tissues was significantly lower than those in noncancerous tissues. The results indicated that the low expression of Smad4 mRNA in prostate cancer was associated with lymph node metastasis, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and Gleason score. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high Smad4 mRNA expression have longer biochemical recurrence-free survival time compared to patients with low Smad4 mRNA expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that Smad4 mRNA expression was an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence-free survival. Our results emphasize that Smad4 mRNA can be used as a predictive biomarker.
Insights
Reduced expression of Smad4 messenger RNA (mRNA) in prostate cancer correlates with advanced disease and poorer prognosis. Smad4 mRNA levels can serve as a predictive biomarker for biochemical recurrence-free survival in prostate cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Smad4, a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 18q21.1, is part of the transforming growth factor β signaling pathway.
- Variable Smad4 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression is observed in cancers, with decreased levels in some and increased in others.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Smad4 mRNA expression in prostate cancer tissues versus adjacent noncancerous tissues.
- To determine the association between Smad4 mRNA expression and clinicopathological variables and prognosis in prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect Smad4 mRNA expression levels.
- Clinicopathological variables and patient survival data were analyzed in relation to Smad4 mRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Prostate cancer tissues exhibited significantly lower Smad4 mRNA expression compared to noncancerous tissues.
- Low Smad4 mRNA expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, elevated preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and higher Gleason scores.
- Patients with high Smad4 mRNA expression demonstrated longer biochemical recurrence-free survival.
Conclusions:
- Smad4 mRNA expression is significantly downregulated in prostate cancer.
- Reduced Smad4 mRNA levels are linked to aggressive clinicopathological features and predict a worse prognosis.
- Smad4 mRNA serves as an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence-free survival and a potential predictive biomarker in prostate cancer.
