Beta-tubulin III expression in prostate cancer

Abstract Objective. Beta-tubulin isotype III is a microtubule component associated with resistance to chemotherapy and poor outcome in various cancers. This study aimed to investigate its expression in prostate cancer and its role as a prognostic factor in this setting. Material and methods. A tissue microarray was constructed of 289 prostate cancers from radical prostatectomy specimens with a median follow-up of 48.9 months. Slides were immunostained for β-tubulin III. The intensity and extent of immunoreactivity and their product [immunoreactivity product (IRP)] were evaluated. Results. Tubulin III was expressed in the cytoplasm of prostate cancer cells but not in benign glands. Only 11.6% of cancers were positive for tubulin III. Among low-grade (Gleason score 5–6) and high-grade (Gleason score 7–10) cancers, 6.0% and 16.6% were positive, respectively (p = 0.006). β-Tubulin III expression was more often seen in high-stage disease and more often in metastases (62.5%) than in primary lesions (11.6%) (p <...