Assessing EphA2 and Ephrin-A as Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers of Prostate Cancer
Abstract
This study seeks to evaluate EphA2 and ephrin-A1 as novel biomarkers of prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and/or prognosis. We are recruiting men at high risk for PCa who are undergoing prostate biopsy and prostatectomy at our institution. We will correlate their levels of EphA2 and ephrin-A1 mRNA as well as staining of phosphorylated pS897-EphA2 to the presence of PCa, the aggressiveness of PCa as determined by traditional clinical predictors, and race. Completion of the studies will achieve the following: 1) Novel biomarkers to improve the ability to distinguish between indolent and aggressive PCa; 2) More accurate prediction of disease outcomes to facilitate optimal treatment selection for each patient; 3) Elucidation of the biological mechanisms behind the PCa health disparities that affect minority men. During this last study period, we have enrolled 20 additional male patients into our study. We have optimized the RNA isolation protocol and have been able to obtain excellent quality RNA from 90 patients. Complementary DNA was then made from all 90 patient RNA samples and we have performed RT-PCR analyses on 52 patients thus far. The sample size remains small but preliminary data suggest differential expression by race of some members of the Eph family of tyrosine kinases: lower EPHA4 and higher EPHB1 expression among black men with PCa as well as lower EPHA1 expression in black men without cancer. We have also successfully created viable mouse prostate organoid cultures, with plans to establish prostate organoids using primary human prostate tissue derived from prostatectomy specimens.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1043099
Entities
People
- Carvell Nguyen
Organizations
- Case Western Reserve University