Correlation between STEAP4 expression and tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes in prostate cancer
10.12483/j.issn.1009-8291.2026.06.011
- VernacularTitle:前列腺癌中STEAP4表达与肿瘤浸润T淋巴细胞的相关性研究
- Author:
Shirui LI
1
;
Qiongxian LONG
2
;
Zhuoying JIANG
2
;
Lijuan PENG
2
;
Ji WU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, The Affiliated Nanchong Central Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
2. Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Nanchong Central Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
prostate cancer;
six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4(STEAP4);
tumor microenvironment;
tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes;
regulatory T cells;
forkhead box transcription factor P3(FoxP3);
CD8+T cells
- From:
Journal of Modern Urology
2026;31(6):571-579
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the expression of six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 (STEAP4) in prostate cancer (PCa), explore its correlation with the infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD8+T cells within the tumor-infiltrating T lymphocyte population, and to predict the potential role of STEAP4 in promoting PCa progression. Methods The clinicopathological data and tumor tissue specimens were collected from 90 PCa patients undergoing radical prostatectomy at our hospital during Jan.2018 and Dec.2024.The protein expressions of STEAP4, forkhead box transcription factor P3 (FoxP3), and CD8+T cells in tumor tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry.The correlation between STEAP4 expression and the infiltration of Tregs (FoxP3 T cells), CD8+T cells and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.The relationship between STEAP4 expression and prognosis was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results STEAP4 expression was significantly higher in PCa tissues than in adjacent benign tissues (P＜0.001).STEAP4 expression was significantly associated with serum total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) level, seminal vesicle invasion, extraprostatic extension, International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading, and pathological T stage (all P＜0.05).The mean infiltration density of Tregs (FoxP3 T cells) in PCa tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent benign tissues[ (11.09±5.05) cells/HPF vs. (3.92±1.59) cells/HPF, P＜0.001], while the mean infiltration density of CD8+T cells was significantly lower[ (6.07±2.90) cells/HPF vs. (27.23±6.75) cells/HPF, P＜0.001].In PCa tissues, STEAP4 expression showed a significant positive correlation with Treg (FoxP3 T cells) infiltration density (r_s=0.472, P＜0.001) and a significant negative correlation with CD8+T-cell infiltration density (r_s=-0.495, P＜0.001).Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that high STEAP4 expression group and low STEAP4 expression group in PCa patients was not correlated with overall survival (OS) or recurrence-free survival (P=0.562, 0.346). Conclusion STEAP4 is highly expressed in PCa tissues, and its expression is closely associated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, particularly Tregs and CD8+T cells, suggesting that STEAP4 may cooperate with Tregs and CD8+T cells to regulate the tumor microenvironment, thereby promoting PCa progression.
