LIM domain kinase 1

Abstract

Background Despite recent advancement, prostate cancer (PC) remains to represent a leading cause of cancer mortality and morbidity in men. Diagnosis of PC faces many challenges, especially on core biopsies. Multiple signaling pathways have been involved in PC progression. However, castration resistance eventually develops, especially in metastatic PC. Identifying a marker that helps in distinguishing invasive tumor from benign and precursor lesions, as well as predicts its metastatic and prognostic potentials, is needed. LIM-domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) is a newly identified marker that affects the cytoskeleton of cancer cells. Its role in PC is still not well understood. This study aimed at evaluating LIMK1 expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia (30 cases), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (27 cases), and PC prostatic adenocarcinoma (60 cases) and its association with the prognostic clinicopathological parameters in PC. Results No strong expression was detected in benign prostatic hyperplasia expression compared with 25.9% and 48.3% in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostatic adenocarcinoma (Pca) groups. The expression was statistically higher in the Pca group than the other groups. There was significant association with poor prognostic parameters in Pca groups, including higher prostate-specific antigen levels, tumor percentage, Gleason scores, grade groups, T stage, positive lymph-node metastases, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, distant metastasis, and prognostic-stage group. Conclusion LIMK1 is considered a promising diagnostic and prognostic marker in Pca.