Expression of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1 (HAI-1) gene in prostate cancer: clinical and biological significance.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type-1 (HAI-1) is an integral-membrane proteinase inhibitor. Some studies have shown that HAI-1 as a matriptase inhibitor that plays a significant role in regulating cancer progression and metastasis. In this study, we attempted to clarify whether the levels of HAI-1 could be a useful marker in patients with prostate cancer (Pca). METHODS: HAI-1 protein was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and HAI-1 mRNA was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 48 patients with Pca and 20 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The association between HAI-1 and clinicopathological features and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: A high level of HAI-1 protein and mRNA expression was detected in BPH compared to Pca specimens. The HAI-1 expression inversely correlated with Gleason score and pathological stage (p<0.05). It was significantly stronger in N0M0 tumors than in N+ or M+ tumors (p<0.05). Furthermore, low HAI-1 expression was a significant predictor for poor prognosis when compared with high HAI-1 expression (disease-free survival/DFS rate, p=0.0487; overall survival/ OS rate; p=0.0492). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study identified HAI-1 as a favorable prognostic marker for Pca and may indicate that HAI-1 could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of this malignancy.