Relationship between DNA ploidy and functional estrogen receptors in operable prostate cancer

O. Nativ, T. Umehara, D. S. Colvard, T. M. Therneau, G. M. Farrow, T. C. Spelsberg, M. M. Lieber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To evalute the relationship between the nuclear DNA content and the tissue estrogen receptor (ER) level in patients with operable adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Method: Surgical specimens taken from 73 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were studied. Tumor DNA ploidy pattern as measured by now cytometry was correlated with the level of functional ER using the nuclear biopsy assay. Results: Forty-five percent of the tumors were DNA diploid, and 55% had an abnormal ploidy pattern (DNA tetraploid or DNA aneuploid). The ER level ranged from 0 to 6475 fmol/mg DNA (mean 839 fmol/mg DNA). Twenty-two percent had no functional receptors. Marked association was noted beteen ER and nuclear DNA content. Seventy-five percent of the tumors with no ER had abnormal ploidy patterns. The mean receptor level for DNA diploid prostate cancer was 1034 fmol/mg DNA versus 661 fmol/mg DNA for DNA nondiploid tumors (p < 0.008). An inverse correlation was found between ER values and histologic grade or pathologic stage. High-grade and high-stage tumors had lower levels of ER compared to Low-grade and early-stage carcinomas. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate an association between ER values and variables that predict prognosis in prostate cancer. It is possible that this parameter may be helpful in identification of prognostic groups in patients with prostate cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)96-99
Number of pages4
JournalEuropean urology
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • DNA ploidy
  • Estrogen receptors
  • Prostate cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Urology

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