G. R. Dohle. J. A. M. Beekhuis. G.-J. van Steenbrugge F.H. Schriider. H. J. Tanke Nuclear protein as a prognostic factor of growth activity in prostatic adenocarcinoma

The value of nuclear protein (NP) as a prog- nostic parameter in prostatic adenocarcinoma was in- vestigated. The NP and DNA contents of two prostatic tumour lines with a well-documented hormonal de- pendency (PC-82, PC-EW) were compared to the NP and DNA contents of two xenografts with only partial or no response to androgen deprivation (LNCaP, PC- 133). After hormonal treatment the PC-82 and PC-EW tumours showed a significant decrease in the NP/DNA ratio, which coincided with a decrease in the prolif- erative activity (anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BRDU) antibody-labelling index) of the same specimens. In the fast-growing LNCaP tumour an increased percentage of cells with high NP and DNA contents was found. The tumours PC-82, PC-EW, and PC-133 with lower proliferative activity showed lower nuclear protein and DNA contents. In a pilot study of 20 prostatic biopsies the amount of nuclear protein and DNA in grade 1 3 tumours as well as in dysplasia was measured. Statist- ically significant differences (P < 0.002) were found be- tween grade 1 and grade 3 tumours. The mean NP/DNA ratio was increased in high-grade malignancies. Nuclear protein appeared to be a poten- tial parameter in predicting growth activity in prostatic carcinoma.