Expression of Extra-Signal Regulated Kinase in Prostatic Carcinoma and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Its Clinical Significance

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) in normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) , and prostatic cancer (PC). Methods: Immunohistochemical technique was used to study the percentage of immunostained cells in BPH, PC, and normal prostate. Results: The epithelial cells and stromal cells were immunostained in BPH and PC. In normal prostate, the stromal cells were immunostained also, but the epithelial cells were not immunostained. The percentage of immunostained stromal cells changed in BPH, but not in PC and normal prostate. The percentage of immunostained epithelial cells changed in PC, BPH, and normal prostate. Conclusion : The ERK may be involved in the development of prostatic hyperplasia and neoplasia, and might be secondary to the overexpression of several growth factors.