sE-cadherin serves as a diagnostic and predictive parameter in prostate cancer patients

Abstract

BackgroundMeasurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) advanced the diagnostic and prognostic potential for prostate cancer (PCa). However, due to PSA’s lack of specificity, novel biomarkers are needed to improve risk assessment and ensure optimal personalized therapy. A set of protein molecules as potential biomarkers was therefore evaluated in serum of PCa patients.MethodsSerum samples from patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RPE) for biopsy-proven PCa without neoadjuvant treatment were compared to serum samples from healthy subjects. Preliminary screening of 119 proteins in 10 PCa patients and 10 controls was carried out by the Proteome Profiler Antibody Array. Those markers showing distinct differences between patients and controls were then further evaluated by ELISA in the serum of 165 PCa patients and 19 controls. Uni- and multivariate as well as correlation analysis were performed to test the capability of these molecules to detect disease and predict pathological outcome.ResultsScreening showed that soluble (s)E-cadherin, E-selectin, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1, TIMP2, Galectin and Clusterin warranted further evaluation. sE-Cadherin, TIMP1, Galectin and Clusterin were significantly over- and MMP9 under-expressed in PCa compared to controls. The concentration of sE-cadherin, MMP2 and Clusterin correlated negatively and that of MMP9 and TIMP1 positively with the Gleason Sum at prostatectomy. Only sE-cadherin significantly correlated with the highest Gleason pattern. Compared to serum PSA, sE-cadherin provided an independent and better matching predictive ability for discriminating PCas with an upgrade at RPE and aggressive tumors with a Gleason Sum ≥7.ConclusionssE-cadherin performed most favorably from a large panel of serum proteins in terms of diagnostic and predictive potential in curatively treatable PCa. sE-cadherin merits further investigation as a biomarker for PCa.

miR-539 inhibits prostate cancer progression by directly targeting SPAG5

“…It is well known that surgery and radiation therapy can cure the localized PCa [ 36 , 37 ]. However, many treated PCa patients will experience local recurrence or metastasis [ 2 – 4 ].…”

Challenges and Opportunities in Clinical Applications of Blood-Based Proteomics in Cancer

“…An initial discovery set of 47 potential serum biomarkers associated with ADT response factors during the treatment included small molecules such as elevated beta estradiol and estrone sulphate levels [ 22 ]. Several potential biomarkers recently found in either serum/plasma need further validation [ 138 , 140 , 205 ]. However, the validation of this small study including longitudinal follow-ups of clinical outcomes is needed.…”

Beyond a tumor suppressor: Soluble E‐cadherin promotes the progression of cancer

“…86 sE-cad levels are higher in liver cancer, 87,88 especially in recurrent patients, indicating that sE-cad has potential as a marker for detecting recurrence in these patients. 87 High serum concentrations of sE-cad significantly correlated with tumor stage and aggressiveness in patients with prostate cancer 29,89 ; in particular, sE-cad can be used to distinguish patients with an upgrade at radical prostatectomy and aggressive tumors with a Gleason Sum 7 better than prostate-specific antigen, the classical prostate cancer marker. 89 Interestingly, patients with an sE-cad level of >7.9 lg/l at the time of diagnosis have a much higher risk of recurrence 3 years after surgery compared with those with lower levels.…”