Clinical significance of microvessel density and proliferation in prostate cancer core biopsy.

PURPOSE To investigate the microvessel density (MVD) and proliferation in prostate cancer (PC) core biopsies. METHODS Core biopsy samples of PC tissue from 45 patients were routinely processed and embedded in paraffin. The samples of PC formed the investigated group (n=25), while samples of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) served as controls (n=20). From paraffin blocks, 3-5 μm-thick sections were made and routine hematoxylin-eosin method and immunohistochemical ABC method with Ki67 and CD34 antibodies were applied. Immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 and CD34 was stereometrically quantified. RESULTS The median number of Ki67 and CD34 positive cells per mm2 in PC were significantly higher in comparison to the median of these cells in BHP. The average age and Gleason score in patients with high proliferation index (proIDX) and MVD index (mvdIDX) was significantly greater in comparison to those with low proIDX and low mvdIDX. The absolute values of Ki67 expression were in highly positive and significant correlation with the absolute values of CD34 expression. Highly significant correlation was found between Gleason score and proIDX and mvdIDX. CONCLUSION This study showed that PC expressed significantly higher values of Ki67 and CD34 in comparison to BPH. The values of proIDX and mvdIDX obtained by core biopsy could clearly show the level of cancer progression expressed through highly correlated Gleason score. In this way it is possible to identify the patients at high risk for disease progression.