Differential Expression of Putative Cancer Stem Cell Markers CD34 and CD117 in Prostate Adenocarcinoma

Background: Prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in male and often its aggressiveness and metastatic identity is attributed to a cell population with stemness properties. Our objective was to evaluate the expression pattern of putative CSC markers CD34 and CD117 in human PCa and their relation with theclinicopathological features. Materials and methods: A total of 90 prostate samples including 45 adenocarcinoma and 45 normal tissues were immunohistochemically examined for the expression of CSC markers CD34 and CD117. Correlations of the relative expression of these markers with clinicopathological parameters were also assessed.Results: Our data showed increased expression of CD34 in advanced Gleason score (8-10) compared to early Gleason (7) (P=0.02). A significant correlation was observedbetween CD117 expression and Gleason score (p= 0.005), indicating that CD117 is highly expressed in tumors with Gleason scores 6-8. A significant positive correlation was observed between CD34High/CD117High phenotype and advanced Gleason score (P<0.001). Conclusions: taken together, our findings showed that increased expression of CSCmarkers CD34 and CD117 confer cell invasion and aggressiveness to PCa. These molecules may be good potential targets in targeted therapy of PCa patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

Prostate adenocarcinoma ، Prostate normal tissues ، CD34 ، CD117 ، Immunohistochemistry