EMT Markers in Locally-Advanced Prostate Cancer: Predicting Recurrence?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Pathology
• Cancer Biomarkers

Background:

• Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer death in men, characterized by molecular heterogeneity complicating prognosis.
• Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for PCa invasion and progression.
• Predicting PCa prognosis and treatment outcomes remains challenging due to its complex nature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the co-expression of cytokeratin 8 (CK8) and vimentin (Vim) as indicators of EMT in locally-advanced PCa.
• To determine if CK8/Vim co-expression can predict disease progression and biochemical recurrence (PSA failure).
• To assess the utility of an EMT score derived from CK8/Vim co-expression for prognostic prediction in PCa.

Main Methods:

• Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to assess CK8 and Vim co-expression in 122 radical prostatectomy specimens.
• An EMT score was calculated based on CK8/Vim co-expression levels.
• The EMT score was correlated with clinicopathological parameters, Gleason group, and PSA failure using statistical analysis, including Cox regression.

Main Results:

• CK8/Vim co-expression (EMT score) significantly correlated with increasing Gleason group.
• Patients with <25% EMT score had nearly double the biochemical recurrence-free survival compared to those with >25% EMT score.
• The EMT score independently predicted PSA failure, regardless of Gleason group, pathological stage, or surgical margins.

Conclusions:

• CK8 and Vim co-expression serves as a valuable molecular marker for EMT in PCa.
• The developed EMT score can enhance the prediction of locally-advanced PCa prognosis.
• Integrating EMT markers with conventional parameters may lead to improved prognostic systems for PCa.