Assessing the diagnostic impact of P63, PSA and BCL-2 proteins in premalignant and malignant prostate tissues

Background: Prostate cancer (CaP) is increasingly becoming a major health issue affecting men as cancer-related fatalities are attributable to the condition. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) diagnostic criteria can help in gene-targeted therapy and help reduce its prevalence. This study is to assess the diagnostic impact of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), P63 and BCL-2 antibodies in CaP. Method: A case-controlled retrospective study was carried out on eighty (80) prostrate tissue blocks retrieved from the pathology archive of Ekiti State university teaching hospital Ado Ekiti. IHC analysis of the selected antibodies was carried out and also stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) for second opinion and confirmation. Results: The study showed that all the CaP samples had 100% positivity with varying reactivity to the IHC biomarkers; PSA had 100% positivity and MPR of 94% due to its multiple weaknesses as a biomarker p63 is a basal cells marker. Conclusions: The expressions of these antibodies were observed in the progression of CaP. Although these markers are useful in predicting the progression from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to CaP, none of them can be utilised in isolation to a conclusion. Hence, they should be used in conjunction with one another to make up for their limitations. The immunohistochemical markers are beneficial in CaP diagnosis.