Transcription factor 4 expression in circulating tumor cells from castration‐resistant prostate cancer

Abstract

Introduction Neuroendocrine differentiation is partly caused by antiandrogen therapy and exhibits an androgen receptor‐independent growth mechanism. We hypothesized that the expression of transcription factor 4, an inducer of neuroendocrine differentiation, in circulating tumor cells is related to drug resistance in castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Case presentation We evaluate the messenger ribonucleic acid expression of transcription factor 4 in circulating tumor cells from 17 patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer and compared these levels between patients receiving antiandrogen therapies and those who were resistant to antiandrogen therapies and receiving chemotherapies. The expression of transcription factor 4 in circulating tumor cells was significantly higher among patients receiving chemotherapies. Conclusion This study shows that transcription factor 4 is higher in the group of patients who were judged by their physicians to need chemotherapy treatment.

Keywords

• androgen receptor
• castration‐resistant prostate cancer
• circulating tumor cells
• neuroendocrine differentiation
• transcription factor 4