Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor Activator (HGFA) in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer

• Published in: European urology 2005-10, Vol.48 (4), p.686-690
• Main Authors: Nagakawa, Osamu, Yamagishi, Toshiya, Fujiuchi, Yasuyoshi, Junicho, Akira, Akashi, Takuya, Nagaike, Kazuhiro, Fuse, Hideki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; Case-Control Studies; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Hepatocyte Growth Factor - metabolism; HGF; HGFA; Humans; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Prostate cancer; Prostatic Hyperplasia - blood; Prostatic Hyperplasia - pathology; Prostatic Neoplasms - blood; Prostatic Neoplasms - pathology; Serine Endopeptidases - blood; Tumors; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary tract. Prostate gland
• ISSN: 0302-2838; 1873-7560
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2005.05.020

Hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) is responsible for proteolytic activation of the precursor form of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We attempted to clarify whether serum levels of HGFA could be used as a marker for prostate cancer. Serum levels of total HGF and HGFA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 99 healthy controls, 27 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 119 patients with prostate cancer. The mean ± S.D. serum levels of HGFA in untreated prostate cancer and BPH cases were 0.42 ± 0.24 and 0.50 ± 0.26 ng/ml, respectively (no significant difference). Serum HGFA was significantly elevated in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (stage D3) compared to other stages, while HGF did not significantly differ with regard to clinical stage. Serum HGFA tends was elevated in patients with advanced stage prostate cancer. Further studies in large groups of patients are needed to clarify the clinical value of HGFA.