Background: To search the expression of vasohibin-1 (VASH-1) and CD34 in prostate cancer tissues. Then explore the relationship between their express with the clinical pathological characteristics of patients.
Methods: Using immunohistochemical staining method, we calculate the average optical density (AOD) by Image Pro Plus 6.0, and the expression of VASH-1 was evaluated by the AOD. The staining of CD34 was evaluated by microvessel density (MVD), the MVD was measured by Weidner judging standard.
Results: VASH-1 mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of vascular endothelial cells and the prostate cancer cells, and CD34 was expressed in the cytoplasm of vascular endothelial cells. In the all 50 cases of prostate cancer tissues, the average AOD of VASH-1 was 0.053±0.039, and the average of MVD was 51.14±24.91. The expression of VASH-1 was positively correlated with the expression of CD34 (r=0.58, P<0.01). The expression of VASH-1 and CD34 were both significant correlated with Gleason Score, pT stage and the distant metastasis (P<0.05, their expression were significant improved by the increase of Gleason Score and pT stage), but there was no significant correlation with the age and PSA level (P>0.05).
Conclusions: In prostate cancer, the expression of VASH-1 was positively correlated with the level of MVD. And the expression of VASH-1 was increased, which indicated that the prognosis was poor.