Comprehensive analysis of serum chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase levels in localized and castration-resistant prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To assess chromogranin A (CGA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels as well as their changes in different stages of prostatic adenocarcinomas (PCA). METHODS: Overall, 1095 serum samples of 395 patients divided in three treatment groups were analysed; the radical prostatectomy (RPE) cohort (n=157) included patients with clinically localized PCA, the docetaxel (DOC) and abiraterone (ABI)/enzalutamide (ENZA) cohort included 95 and 143 metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients, respectively. CGA, NSE and total PSA levels were measured by the KRYPTOR method. RESULTS: CGA and NSE baseline levels were higher in castration-resistant (DOC, ABI/ENZA) compared to hormone-naive, clinically localized PCA (p 50% CGA increase at 3 months was associated with poor survival, especially in patients with high baseline CGA levels. CONCLUSIONS: The 2-3-fold higher neuroendocrine marker levels in CRPC cases compared to hormone naive PCA support the presence of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation under androgen-deprivation therapy. Our results revealed the poorest prognosis in patients with high baseline CGA levels who experienced further CGA increase during ABI and ENZA treatment. Serum CGA levels could help tailor and monitor therapy in advanced PCA.