Search

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men and the second highest contributor of male cancer mortality. The crude extract of Euphorbia formosana (CEEF) has been used for treatment of different diseases but the cytotoxic effects of CEEF on human cancer cells have not been reported. The purpose of the present experiments was to determine effects of CEEF on cell cycle distribution and induction of apoptosis in DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro. Contrast-phase microscope was used for examining cell morphological changes. Flow cytometric assays were used for cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, and Ca 2+ production and mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨ m ). Western blotting was used for examining protein expression of cell cycle and apoptosis associated proteins. Real-time PCR was used for examining mRNA levels of caspase-3, -8, and -9, AIF, and Endo G. Confocal laser microscope was used to examine the translocation of AIF, Endo G, and cytochrome in DU145 cells after CEEF exposure. CEEF-induced cell morphological changes, decreased the percentage of viable cells, and induced S phase arrest and apoptosis in DU145 cells. Furthermore, CEEF promoted RAS and Ca 2+ production and reduced ΔΨ m levels. Real-time QPCR confirmed that CEEF promoted the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and -9, AIF and Endo G and we found that AIF and Endo G and cytochrome c were released from mitochondria. Taken together, CEEF-induced cytotoxic effects via ROS production, induced S phase arrest and induction of apoptosis through caspase-dependent and independent and mitochondria-dependent pathways in DU245 cancer cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1600-1611, 2016., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Infectious granulomatous prostatitis is uncommon, and most cases of granulomatous prostatitis are classified as nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis. From 2007 to 2009, 5 patients experienced poor wound healing after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer at a specialist cancer center. Mycobacterium abscessus was cultured from the debridement specimens, and acid-fast-positive bacilli were identified histologically within the prostates. All 180 radical prostatectomy specimens from May 2007 to June 2009 were reviewed, and 7 additional cases with morphologies suspicious of M. abscessus granulomatous prostatitis (MAGP) were identified. The characteristic morphologic feature of MAGP was suppurative necrotizing granulomatous inflammation extensively (10% to 80% of the gland; mean, 39%) involving the prostate. The centers of MAGP were large areas of neutrophilic abscess and necrotic debris, which were surrounded by histiocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, scattered multinucleated giant cells, and eosinophils. In the adjacent areas, there was a lobular extension of mixed inflammatory infiltrates into dilated and ruptured ducts. Involvement of extraprostatic soft tissue and seminal vesicles/vas deferens was found in 9 and 4 cases, respectively. Acid-fast-positive bacilli were identified in 5 radical prostatectomies. Eleven patients had fresh tissue specimens stored at -150°C, and M. abscessus was cultured from 8 prostates. Random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction showed the same clone for all isolates. After prostatectomy, 8 patients experienced prolonged wound healing, with urethrorectal fistula formation in 1 patient and a pelvic abscess in another. It is critical for pathologists to recognize MAGP and to distinguish it from the more common nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis and other granulomatous lesions within the prostate.

Objectives: To report the pathologic features of prostate cancer and its clinical outcome in the Chinese population in Taiwan., Methods: A total of 139 radical prostatectomy specimens removed at Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center from 1993 to 2001 were reviewed., Results: The median patient age was 69 years. The histologic type was acinar adenocarcinoma in 137, mucinous adenocarcinoma in 1, and ductal adenocarcinoma in 1. The median tumor number in each prostate gland was 2. The main tumor location was distributed in peripheral zone (76.3%), followed by the transitional zone (15.1%). The Gleason score of the largest tumor was 2 to 4 in 1.5%, 5 to 6 in 7.9%, 7 in 48.9%, and 8 to 10 in 41.7%. Extraprostatic tumor extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and lymph node metastasis were found in 59.0%, 28.8%, and 13.7% of the patients, respectively. Of the 139 specimens, 56 (40.3%), 64 (46.1%), and 19 (13.7%) were pathologic Stage T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The clinical stage (P = 0.0059), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (greater than 20 ng/mL versus 10 ng/mL or less, P = 0.002), extraprostatic extension (P = 0.0012), seminal vesicle invasion (P <0.0001), and surgical margin status (P <0.0001) were all significant factors for disease progression on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, the serum PSA level (greater than 20 ng/mL versus 10 ng/mL or less, P = 0.03), seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.02), and surgical margin status (P = 0.02) remained significant., Conclusions: The patients with prostate cancer cared for at the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center were older and had greater PSA levels, a more advanced stage, higher grade tumors, and high positive surgical margin rates. Increased public awareness and implementing a PSA screening program in Taiwan are of crucial importance.

The first Conference on Asian Trends in Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy was held in September 2001 to serve as a forum for Asian urologists to compare data on prostate cancer and discuss issues regarding the use of hormone therapy. The conference revealed that due to various cultural and philosophical factors, differences exist in prostate cancer management among the Asian countries. In addition, a lack of databases on hormone therapy was exposed in some countries. It was noted that many decisions in the treatment of prostate cancer are influenced by the strategies adopted in Western countries, and that attempts to formulate uniform guidelines for the Asian region have hitherto been unsuccessful. The main findings of the conference are reported in this review.