Aberrant expression of the microtubule-associated protein tau is an independent prognostic feature in prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT) overexpression has been linked to poor prognosis and decreased response to taxane-based therapies in several cancer types, but its relevance in prostate cancer is unknown.

Methods

In this study, MAPT expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray containing 17,747 prostate cancers.

Results

MAPT was absent in normal prostate epithelial cells but detectable in 1004 (8.2%) of 12,313 interpretable cancers. Its expression was associated with advanced tumor stage, high Gleason grade, positive lymph nodes, and early biochemical recurrence (p < 0.0001 each). For example, MAPT was found in 3.6% of 2072 Gleason ≤3 + 3 cancers but in 14.4% of 704 Gleason ≥4 + 4 cancers. High-level MAPT staining was also

SUBMITTER: Schroeder C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6397474 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature