Low p27 expression predicts biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy in patients with clinically localised prostate cancer

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of p27 protein expression in clinically localised prostate cancer with respect to biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Patients and Methods: Fifty-two patients (median age 63 years) with prostate cancer were treated by radical prostatectomy in an 18-month period. Data recorded: preoperative PSA level, histopathological Gleason grade, pathological stage and status of surgical margins. p27 expression was evaluated in this group of tumours by immunohistochemistry (positivity was defined as greater than or equal to30% postive cells). Biochemical relapse (BR) was defined by a serum PSA level greater than or equal to0.3 ng/ml. Results: Twenty-two out of 47 patients (47%) with available follow-up showed a low p27 protein expression. p27 expression did not correlate with pathological stage, Gleason score, serum PSA levels or the status of the surgical margins. Patients presented with BR during the follow-up (risk of BR (RBR) at 36 months: 40%). Patients with low p27 expression showed a higher RBR than the others (RBR 36-month 59% vs. 18%, respectively; p=0.02). In a multivariate analysis, only 27 along with stage maintained the predictive value for biochemical relapse. Conclusion: p27 expression is a promising prognostic factor in prostate cancer, since it has proved to be a predictor of biochemical relapse.