Role of Microvessel density assessment in prostate cancer: correlation with clinical stage and Gleason’s grade

Prostate cancer is a classic malignancy and second most leading cause of cancer deaths. This study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic performance characteristics of MVD, assessed by the analysis of CD34 immuno reactivity in cases of CaP and correlating it with Serum PSA levels in determination of clinical staging. In this case-control study a total of 100 subjects were included on the basis of confirmed histopathological reports, out of which 50 were prostate cancer patients and the other 50 were BPH patients with PSA levels >2 ng/ml and abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings during September 2009 to August 2011 from the Department of Urology, KGMU, Lucknow, India. Plasma levels of PSA and free PSA were determined using quantitative immunoassay (ELISA- enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). Microvessel density assessment was done in digitalized images using BIOVIS image analysis system. CD34 immunohistochemistry performed on FFPE with anti CD 34 by Streptavidin Biotin Method as per standardized protocol. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 15.0 version. The mean difference between BPH (84.40) and CaP (175.99) patient is statistically significant for CD34 staining. The CaP patients were categorized in 2 groups on the bases of MVD score (MVD<170, MVD>170). In clinical stage, data shows that the difference was statistically significant except stage A. In Gleason’s score group, the distribution of MVD score shows significance difference in CaP patients. The present study confirms the existence of significant correlation between MVD and pathological stage of prostate cancer and MVD may suitable marker for the diagnosis as well as prognosis of BPH and CaP.