The expression and significance of p4E-BP1/4E-BP1 in prostate cancer

Although the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 that has been detected in high-grade prostate cancer has been reported in previous studies, overexpression of p4E-BP1 and 4EBP1 and their clinical significance in prostate cancer still remain unknown.

One hundred six samples of prostate tissues were collected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry with p4E-BP1 or 4E-BP1 specific antibodies. Everolimus was used to block the phosphorylation of p4E-BP1, and then flow cytometry, clone formation, transwell, and wound healing assays were performed to detect the survival and invasive ability of the prostate cancer cells.

We found that the expression of 4E-BP1 and p4E-BP1 was higher in prostate cancer tissues than in normal tissues. Interestingly, the expression of p4E-BP1 was significantly associated with Gleason score and lymph node metastasis, but had no obvious correlation with PSA and the presence of bone or visceral metastasis. However, no evident correlation was found between the positive expression of 4E-BP1 and these clinical characteristics. In in vitro experiments, we found similar results as the clinical presentation that 4E-BP1 and p4E-BP1 were low expressed in normal prostate epithelial cells, but in prostate cancer cells, as the malignancy increasing, 4E-BP1 and p4E-BP1 expression also gradually increased. Then, we used Everolimus to inhibit the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and found that Everolimus effectively reduced cloning formation, inhibited cell migration, and promoted apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in PC3 cells.

These findings suggest that p4E-BP1 is a potential biomarker and therapy target for prostate cancer, and patients with high expressions of p4E-BP1 may benefit from Everolimus treatment.