Can the expression level of PIWIL 2 gene be a serum marker for prostate cancer? A single-center prospective study

• Published in: Turkish journal of urology 2019-11, Vol.45 (1), p.22-25
• Main Authors: Tosun, Halil, Demirtas, Abdullah, Sonmez, Gokhan, Tombul, Sevket Tolga, Akalin, Hilal, Ozkul, Yusuf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gene expression; Hyperplasia; Prostate cancer; Urology; Urooncology
• ISSN: 2149-3235; 2149-3057; 2980-1478
• DOI: 10.5152/tud.2019.46416

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of the serum expression level of Piwi-like 2 (PIWIL2), a stem cell protein, for prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and method: This randomized and prospective study included a total of 60 volunteers between 50 and 75 years old. Cases were assigned to three groups according to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) elevations and pathology reports, with 20 participants in each group. The first group included patients with a PSA level of >4 ng/dL and with PCa, the second group included patients with a PSA level of >4 ng/dL and with benign prostate hyperplasia, and the third group included patients with a PSA level of ≤4 ng/dL and with benign prostate hyperplasia. The levels of serum PSA and PIWIL2 expressions were compared between the groups. Results: The median serum PSA levels were 28.5 (4.6–98.1) ng/mL, 8.89 (4.3–24.1) ng/mL, and 2.4 (0.3–3.8) ng/mL for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The PSA levels were significantly different between the groups (p3 than among those with ISUP of ≤3 (p=0.04). Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that the serum level of PIWIL2 gene expression could not be a diagnostic indicator of PCa; however, it could be a beneficial prognostic indicator particularly for progressed disease.