Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Prostate Cancer Research Through Improved Tissue Sampling and Biobanking
Published on: November 17, 2023
Translationally controlled tumor protein in prostatic adenocarcinoma: correlation with tumor grading and
Bruno Jim Rocca1, Alessandro Ginori2, Aurora Barone2
1Section of Pathology, Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Via delle Scotte 6, 53100 Siena, Italy ; Section of Pathology, Ospedale di Circolo di Busto Arsizio, Presidio Ospedaliero di Saronno, Piazzale Borella 1, 21047 Saronno, Italy.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. The androgen deprivation therapy is the standard treatment for advanced stages. Unfortunately, virtually all tumors become resistant to androgen withdrawal. The progression to castration-resistance is not fully understood, although a recent paper has suggested translationally controlled tumor protein to be implicated in the process. The present study was designed to investigate the role of this protein in prostate cancer, focusing on the correlation between its expression level with tumor differentiation and response to treatment. We retrieved 292 prostatic cancer specimens; of these 153 had been treated only by radical prostatectomy and 139 had undergone radical prostatectomy after neoadjuvant treatment with combined androgen blockade therapy. Non-neoplastic controls were represented by 102 prostatic peripheral zone specimens. In untreated patients, the expression of the protein, evaluated by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, was significantly higher in tumor specimens than in non-neoplastic control, increasing as Gleason pattern and score progressed. In treated prostates, the staining was correlated with the response to treatment. An association between protein expression and the main clinicopathological factors involved in prostate cancer aggressiveness was identified. These findings suggest that the protein may be a promising prognostic factor and a target for therapy.
Insights
Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is elevated in prostate cancer, correlating with tumor aggressiveness and treatment response. Higher TCTP levels indicate poorer prognosis, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Urology
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, with androgen deprivation therapy as standard treatment.
- Tumor resistance to androgen withdrawal is a significant challenge in advanced prostate cancer management.
- The role of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in castration resistance is emerging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TCTP in prostate cancer.
- To correlate TCTP expression levels with tumor differentiation and treatment response.
- To assess TCTP as a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 292 prostate cancer specimens and 102 non-neoplastic controls.
- Evaluation of TCTP expression using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry.
- Correlation of TCTP levels with Gleason score and response to radical prostatectomy with or without neoadjuvant androgen blockade therapy.
Main Results:
- TCTP expression was significantly higher in tumor specimens compared to controls.
- TCTP levels increased with higher Gleason patterns and scores in untreated patients.
- TCTP staining correlated with treatment response in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy.
Conclusions:
- TCTP expression is associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness.
- TCTP levels correlate with clinical outcomes and response to treatment.
- TCTP represents a promising prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer.
