Upregulation of SPDEF is associated with poor prognosis in prostate cancer.

Abstract

SAM pointed domain-containing Ets transcription factor (SPDEF), a member of the ETS transcription factor family, has been associated with prostate cancer development; however, its role in tumour development and progression is controversial. In the present study, SPDEF expression was analysed on a tissue microarray with >12,000 prostate cancer samples. SPDEF expression levels were higher in most prostate cancer samples than in normal prostate epithelium, suggesting SPDEF was upregulated in cancer. Nuclear SPDEF expression was identified in 80% of prostate cancer samples, and considered weak in 26.4%, moderate in 40.1% and strong in 13.5% of cases. SPDEF positivity was significantly associated with tumour stage, Gleason grade, lymph node metastasis and PSA recurrence (all P<0.0001). SPDEF overexpression was more common in ERG positive (94%) than in ERG negative cancer (69%; P<0.0001). Elevated SPDEF expression predicted poor prognosis independent from established prognostic parameters, including Gleason grade, pT, pN, serum PSA level and nodal status (P<0.01). In summary, SPDEF overexpression was associated with aggressive behaviour, particularly in ERG negative prostate cancer, and may have potential for clinical application.

• Authors: Jan Meiners, Katharina Schulz, Katharina Möller, Doris Höflmayer, Christoph Burdelski, Claudia Hube-Magg, Ronald Simon, Cosima Göbel, Andrea Hinsch, Viktor Reiswich, Sören Weidemann, Jacob R Izbicki, Guido Sauter, Frank Jacobsen, Christina Möller-Koop, Tim Mandelkow, Niclas C Blessin, Florian Lutz, Florian Viehweger, Maximillian Lennartz, Christoph Fraune, Hans Heinzer, Sarah Minner, Sarah Bonk, Hartwig Huland, Markus Graefen, Thorsten Schlomm, Franziska Büscheck
• Journal: Oncology letters (Oncol Lett) Vol. 18 Issue 5 Pg. 5107-5118 (Nov 2019) ISSN: 1792-1074 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 31612022 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright: © Meiners et al.