ERG Immunohistochemistry and Clinicopathologic Characteristics in Korean Prostate Adenocarcinoma Patients.
- Author:
Ja Hee SUH
1
;
Jeong Whan PARK
;
Cheol LEE
;
Kyung Chul MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. blue7270@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Prostate neoplasms;
ERG;
Immunohistochemistry
- MeSH:
Adenocarcinoma;
Gene Fusion;
Humans;
Immunohistochemistry;
Neoplasm Grading;
Oncogenes;
Prostate;
Prostatectomy;
Prostatic Neoplasms;
Serine;
Tumor Burden
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2012;46(5):423-428
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Transmembrane protease serine 2-ETS related gene (TMPRSS2-ERG) gene fusion, the most common genetic alternation in prostate cancer, is associated with protein expression of the oncogene ERG. Recently, an immunohistochemical staining method using an anti-ERG antibody was shown to have a strong correlation with altered ERG protein expression. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 303 radical prostatectomy specimens (obtained from Korean prostate cancer cases) using a constructed tissue microarray and ERG immunohistochemical staining. Thereafter, we evaluated the association between ERG expression and clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: The ERG-positive rate was 24.4% (74/303) and significantly higher ERG expression was observed in the subgroup with a lower Gleason score (p=0.004). Analysis of the histologic pattern of prostate adenocarcinomas revealed that tumors with discrete glandular units (Gleason pattern 3) displayed higher frequency of ERG expression (p=0.016). The ERG-positive rate was lower than that found (approximately 50%) in studies involving western populations. Other factors including age, tumor volume, initial protein-specific antigen level, a pathological stage and margin status were not significantly related with the ERG expression. CONCLUSIONS: ERG immunohistochemical staining is significantly higher in tumors with well-formed glands and is associated with a lower Gleason score.
