Bcl-2 expression as a predictive marker of hormone-refractory prostate cancer treated with taxane-based chemotherapy.

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Citation

Yoshino T, Shiina H, Urakami S, Kikuno N, Yoneda T, Shigeno K, Igawa M

Bcl-2 expression as a predictive marker of hormone-refractory prostate cancer treated with taxane-based chemotherapy.

Clin Cancer Res. 2006 Oct 15;12(20 Pt 1):6116-24.

PubMed ID
17062688 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

PURPOSE: Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis, and its overexpression is associated with hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Bak and Bax are in the Bcl-2 family and counteract the antiapoptotic function of Bcl-2. Taxane-induced (paclitaxel and its analogue docetaxel) phosphorylation of Bcl-2 abolishes the potential antiapoptotic effect of Bcl-2. We hypothesized that (a) survival benefit in HRPC patients treated with taxanes is determined by the presence of Bcl-2 protein and (b) altered expression of Bak and Bax protein caused by genetic mutation is associated with biological aggressiveness of prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Forty localized prostate cancer and 30 HRPC cases were used in this study. Surgical specimens of localized prostate cancer and biopsy specimens of HRPC were used for immunostaining of Bcl-2, Bak, and Bax as well as DNA extraction. Mutations in the Bak and Bax genes were screened by single-strand conformational polymorphism, and confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Bcl-2-positive HRPC showed longer cause-specific survival in comparison with the counterparts. Multivariate analysis revealed that the level of Bcl-2 expression before treatment with taxane-based chemotherapy was an independent predictor for cause-specific survival (P < 0.01) and baseline prostate-specific antigen level was an independent predictor for progression-free survival (P < 0.01). Bax gene mutation was found in only one HRPC specimen. CONCLUSIONS: Bcl-2 expression in addition to prostate-specific antigen measurement before treatment could identify HRPC patients who may benefit from taxane-based chemotherapy. Mutation of the Bak and Bax genes is a rare event in prostate cancer.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
PaclitaxelApoptosis regulator Bcl-2ProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details