Immunohistochemical characterization of neuroendocrine cells in prostate cancer.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine (NE) cells increase in high grade/stage prostate cancer (PC) and may contribute to androgen-independent cancer. Their immunohistochemical phenotype has not been studied in detail and conflicting results have been reported. METHODS: PC tissue was stained immunohistochemically for luminal secretory cell-associated cytokeratin, basal cell markers, ki-67, androgen receptor (AR), PSA, prostate acid phosphatase (PAP), and alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase (AMACR). RESULTS: The NE cells are positive for AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2, and negative for basal cell markers. They are negative for AR, PSA, and Ki-67 but positive for PAP. The benign NE cells are negative for AMACR while the malignant NE cells are positive for AMACR. CONCLUSIONS: NE cells of PC constitute a unique subset of cancer cells, which have a unique immunohistochemical profile. They do not express AR, consistent with their resistance to hormonal therapy. They are post-mitotic cells but are malignant and part of the tumor.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Huang, J; Yao, JL; di Sant'Agnese, PA; Yang, Q; Bourne, PA; Na, Y
Published Date
- September 15, 2006
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 66 / 13
Start / End Page
- 1399 - 1406
PubMed ID
- 16865726
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0270-4137
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1002/pros.20434
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States