Roles of Cell Cycle Regulators [p53, Cathepsin-D and Bax] in Prognostic Determination of Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract

Background:The prostate gland is an almond-shaped gland located directly below the urinary bladder and circling the prostatic urethra. The incidence of prostatic disorders has been found to increase with age; especially in PCa and BPH. PCa and BPH are both characterized by cell proliferation and active division at specific tissue sites. The two forms of cell proliferation are regulated by cell cycle and are perhaps created by molecular mechanisms dysregulation that will alter such regulatory mechanisms.Method: Human prostate biopsies were obtained from clinically diagnosed patients and were studied immunohistochemically to map the distribution of p53, CathD and Bax. Results and conclusion:In PCa, the increased levels of p53 and Bax signals pre-apoptotic tendencies for rapidly proliferating un-coordinated cells which can be located at random locations due to loss of matrix and adhesion molecules described in high CathD levels. Co-localization of p53, CathD and Bax can be insightful to further determine the role cell cycle in BPH and PCa and in distinguishing the patterns of cell proliferation in both conditions.