Are neuroendocrine cells of practical value as an independent prognostic parameter in prostate cancer?

Abstract

NE cells are of no practical value as an independent prognostic indicator in patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Heterogeneous Tumor Evolution Initiated by Loss of pRb Function in a Preclinical Prostate Cancer Model

“…That the model we describe does not develop neuroendocrine tumors is significant, because the extensive formation of neuroendocrine tumors is not reflective of the human disease (35).…”

“…2B, a). Other prostate cancer mouse models using the full SV40 large T and small t antigens frequently develop both neuroendocrine carcinomas and adenocarcinomas (9, 11), the former of which only rarely becomes prominent in the human disease (35). However, the TgAPT 121 lesions were consistently negative for synaptophysin, a marker for neuroendocrine cell origin (31), showing that the lesions of TgAPT 121 do not undergo neuroendocrine differentiation (data not shown) and indicating that functions of small t and/or large T antigen other than pRb f inactivation are responsible for this effect.…”

Molecular genetics of prostate cancer

“…However, the preponderance of current evidence favors an endodermal origin for neuroendocrine cells (like other prostatic epithelial cells), by analogy with a similar population of cells in the gut and pancreas (Andrew et al 1983). Whereas neuroendocrine cells represent a relatively minor population in the normal prostate, the accumulation of cells with neuroendocrine features, referred to as neuroendocrine differentiation, is a hallmark of more aggressive forms of prostate cancer (di Sant'Agnese 1992; Allen et al 1995;Weinstein et al 1996;McWilliam et al 1997;Abrahamsson et al 1998;Cussenot et al 1998). In most cases, cells with neuroendocrine features are dispersed within neoplastic foci, with increased neuroendocrine differentiation generally correlated with disease progression, but not necessarily with prognosis.…”

Cathepsin D and chromogranin A as predictors of long term disease specific survival after radical prostatectomy for localized carcinoma of the prostate

“…However, other studies have not corroborated these findings. 12, 13 In these studies, ease specific survival data were reported. These results were consistent with those of Chambon et al 20 who the clinical relevance of the presence of Chr A positive cells in prostate tumors has been unclear.…”