Transforming growth factor-beta 1: comparative immunohistochemical localization in human primary and metastatic prostate cancer.

Abstract

These findings confirm our previous observation that prostate cancer exhibits enhanced intracellular and extracellular accumulation of TGF-beta 1 relative to normal prostate tissue and benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition, our study documented a significantly more pronounced accumulation of intracellular TGF-beta 1 in primary prostate cancer with metastasis than in primary tumors without metastasis. Moreover, although the pattern of intracellular TGF-beta 1 staining observed in the primary tumor is maintained in the metastasis, a lack of extracellular accumulation of TGF-beta 1 in the metastatic site was noted. This differential pattern may be biologically important and could conceivably reflect a role for TGF-beta 1 in disease progression.