The role of stem/progenitor cells and wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the patients with prostate cancer

Vatansever H.S.; Gumus B.; Aydogdu O.; Sivrikoz O.N.; Türkôz-Uluer E.; Kivanç M.; Ateşçi Y.Z.; Bugdayci H.

The role of stem/progenitor cells and wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the patients with prostate cancer

Date

2014

Authors

Publisher

Edizioni Minerva Medica

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this paper was to investigate the possible effect of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and relationship with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway progressing of prostate cancer. Methods: Thirty men with a pathological diagnosis of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) (group 1, N.=10), prostate cancer with a gleason score of ≤6 (group 2, N.=10), and prostate cancer with a gleason score of >6 (group 3, N.=10) were included in the study. The patients' groups were compared in terms of immunoreactivity strength of prostatic stem/progenitor cell surface markers including CD133 and CD117. We also compared the immunoreactivity of Wnt7a, a part of Wnt signaling pathway which has a potential role in the progression of several cancers including prostate cancer. The immunoreactivity of Frizzled 6 (Fzd 6) which is the receptor of Wnt family was also evaluated in all groups. Results: Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that although CD 133 immunoreactivity was positive in all groups, immunoreactivity was significantly stronger in group 3 when compared to other groups. While CD117 immunoreactivity was negative in group 1 and 2, it was positive in group 3. Wnt7a immunoreactivity was weak in all groups and Fzd 6 immunoreactivity was stronger in group 1 and 3 when compared to group 2. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that CSCs and Wnt signaling pathway have a potential role in the development and progression of prostate cancer.