Characterization of Neuroendocrine Cell Differentiation and Distribution in Caucasian and African-American Prostate Cancer Patients

Marvin E, Myles, Qiangwei Ma, Rodney Davis, Ben Shenassa, Oliver Sartor, Carmen Espinoza, Syeda Sarwar, George Karabatsos, and Walter Rayford

Abstract

Background: Cells expressing a neoroendocrine (NE) phenotype have been identified within prostatic adenocarcinomas. Some neuropeptides described in prostatic NE cells include serotonin, bombesin/gastrin -releasing peptide, chromogram A and somatostatin. Cancers that possess a large number of NE cells are thought to have a poor prognosis. This study describes an immuno-histochemical analysis of the quantity and pattern of distribution of NE cells in Caucasian and African-American prostate cancer patients.

Results: Overall, there was no detectable staining in 65 to 90% of normal or adenocarcinoma tissue sections for the markers examined. A significantly greater percentage of the normal tissue stained positive for the markers of interest. The number of specimens in which there was staining of the tumor but not of the corresponding normal section were 4,5, and 2 for chromogranin A (ChrA), somatostatin (SSt), and bombesin (GRP), respectively. There was no detectable difference in frequency of staining between Caucasian and African-American PCa specimens.

Conclusion:  Differential NE cell differentiation alone can not account for the disparity in PCa progression or aggressiveness among Caucasian and African-American men.