CtBP2 overexpression is associated with tumorigenesis and poor clinical outcome of prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of CtBP2 in prostate cancer and to determine its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of CtBP2 in 119 prostate cancer tissues and 41 normal tissues was examined by qPCR and Western blot analysis, and the results were correlated with clinicopathologic parameters. RESULTS: CtBP2 expression in prostate cancer tissues was higher than that in normal samples. CtBP2 overexpression was closely correlated with serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA) (p = 0.018), advanced tumor stage (T3) (p = 0.025), higher Gleason scores (p = 0.019), positive extraprostatic extension (p = 0.012), positive vascular invasion (p = 0.011) and perineural invasion (p = 0.035). However, no significant association was found between CtBP2 abnormal expression and other parameters, including age (p = 0.776), positive lymph node (p = 0.872) and positive surgical margin (p = 0.37). Moreover, CtBP2 overexpression was significantly associated with poor clinical outcome of prostate cancer (p = 0.0168). CONCLUSIONS: CtBP2 is overexpressed in prostate cancer, and its increased expression is closely associated with tumor progression and the outcome of prostate cancer.