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Updated: Feb 4, 2026
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
Evaluation of Thymidylate Synthase Expression in Prostate Cancer
Shoichiro Ohta1,2, Shingo Kamoshida3, Akito Tashiro3
1Clinical Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Josai University, Sakado, Japan.
Abstract:
Thymidylate synthase (TS), a key enzyme in DNA synthesis, is over-expressed in a variety of cancer cells. 5-Fluorouracil, an anticancer agent clinically used against various cancers, including prostate cancer, inhibits DNA synthesis by binding TS. In this study, we investigated expression of TS in prostate cancer and its prognostic significance. Seventy-five prostatic tissue specimens were obtained from patients who had undergone prostate biopsy for diagnosis of prostate cancer. We analyzed the cancerous tissue specimens for TS expression using immunohistochemistry. TS expression was significantly increased in patients with bone metastasis. No relationship was found between expression of TS and the other clinicopathological findings. Because TS expression could be used as a prognostic parameter in patients with prostate cancer, an accurate prediction of prognosis might help to select patients for more intensive surgical, hormonal, or chemotherapeutic approaches, including 5-fluorouracil. Additional prospective studies are warranted to define the role of TS in selecting patients for adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer.
Insights
Thymidylate synthase (TS) expression is elevated in prostate cancer, particularly with bone metastasis. This finding suggests TS could be a prognostic marker for predicting patient outcomes and guiding treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Thymidylate synthase (TS) is crucial for DNA synthesis and often overexpressed in cancer.
- 5-Fluorouracil, a chemotherapy drug, targets TS to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.
- Prostate cancer management can benefit from accurate prognostic indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of thymidylate synthase (TS) in prostate cancer tissues.
- To determine the prognostic significance of TS expression in prostate cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze TS expression in 75 prostatic tissue specimens.
- Correlation analysis was performed between TS expression and clinicopathological findings.
Main Results:
- TS expression was significantly higher in prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis.
- No significant association was found between TS expression and other clinicopathological parameters.
Conclusions:
- TS expression may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker in prostate cancer.
- Identifying patients with high TS expression could aid in selecting appropriate therapies, including 5-fluorouracil.
- Further prospective studies are needed to confirm TS's role in adjuvant therapy selection.
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