Beta-microseminoprotein immunoreactivity as a new prognostic indicator of prostatic carcinoma

Human beta-microseminoprotein (beta-MSP), isolated from seminal plasma, is one of the proteins secreted by the prostate gland. To determine whether the beta-MSP immunoreactivity can be a prognostic indicator of prostatic carcinoma, the beta-MSP immunohistochemical distribution has been examined in needle biopsy specimens taken from 96 patients with prostatic carcinoma. Although no significant correlation was found between the beta-MSP immunoreactivity and the histological grade (Gleason score), patients with a positive beta-MSP expression had a significantly better prognosis than those with a negative beta-MSP expression (P = 0.01). Further, a multivariate analysis of six possible parameters (age, clinical stage, histological grade, serum prostatic acid phosphatase, beta-MSP immunoreactivity, and the type of initial treatment) has shown the difference in the beta-MSP immunoreactivity to be a significant, independent, prognostic indicator of prostatic carcinoma (P = 0.04).