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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
Kinesin Family Member 11 mRNA Expression Predicts Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
Xuan-Mei Piao1, Young Joon Byun1, Pildu Jeong1
1Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
Background:
KIF11 (kinesin family member 11), a molecular motor protein, is essential to mitosis and cell cycle progression. Inhibitors of KIF11 have been developed as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of various cancers. Regarding prostate cancer (PCa), clinical trials using KIF11 inhibitors for the treatment of castration-resistant PCa have been initiated. We hypothesized that a relationship might exist between KIF11 expression and PCa. To investigate the functional activities and clinical usefulness of KIF11 in PCa, we used quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to monitor the KIF11 expression patterns.
Materials And Methods:
Tissue samples from 134 patients with PCa were analyzed using gene expression profiling and compared with tissues from 61 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. KIF11 expression was evaluated by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and compared with indicators of tumor aggressiveness, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, Gleason score (GS), and tumor stage (TNM stage).
Results:
KIF11 mRNA expression in tissue was significantly greater in PCa patients with elevated serum PSA levels (≥ 10 ng/mL), GS ≥ 8 [58(43.3%)], T stage ≥ T3, or metastatic disease than in those with PSA levels < 10 ng/mL, GS of 7, or T2 stage. Additionally, the expression was remarkably greater in patients with a GS of ≥ 9 than in patients with a GS of 3+4.
Conclusion:
KIF11 expression might be indicative of PCa aggressiveness and could be useful as a prognostic marker for patients with PCa.
Insights
KIF11 expression is higher in aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). This finding suggests KIF11 may serve as a prognostic marker for PCa patients, aiding in treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- KIF11 (kinesin family member 11) is a crucial protein for cell division and a target for cancer chemotherapy.
- Clinical trials are exploring KIF11 inhibitors for castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa).
- The study investigates the potential link between KIF11 expression and PCa development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between KIF11 expression and prostate cancer.
- To evaluate the clinical utility of KIF11 as a prognostic marker in PCa.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure KIF11 mRNA expression.
- Gene expression profiling was performed on tissue samples from 134 PCa patients and 61 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.
- KIF11 expression was correlated with established PCa aggressiveness indicators: PSA levels, Gleason score (GS), and TNM stage.
Main Results:
- KIF11 mRNA expression was significantly elevated in PCa tissues compared to BPH tissues.
- Higher KIF11 expression correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness, including elevated PSA levels (≥ 10 ng/mL), higher Gleason scores (≥ 8), advanced T stage (≥ T3), and metastatic disease.
- A notable increase in KIF11 expression was observed in patients with Gleason scores of 9 compared to those with a Gleason score of 3+4.
Conclusions:
- KIF11 expression levels are associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness.
- KIF11 may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for predicting PCa patient outcomes.
- Further research into KIF11's role could inform targeted therapies for aggressive PCa.
