Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is induced by lysyl oxidase (LOX), has been demonstrated to accompany tumor progression; however, the association between LOX expression levels and the malignant behavior of prostate cancer (Pca) remains unclear. The present study aimed to analyze the tumor-associated expression profile of LOX in patients with Pca and to evaluate its potential prognostic value. In the form of a retrospective study, the expression patterns of LOX and collagen I were analyzed in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia and Pca by immunohistochemical examination. The results demonstrated that, with the initiation and progression of Pca, the expression levels of LOX and collagen I were closely associated with Gleason score and tumor stage. In addition, although LOX was expressed in cancer and non-cancer tissues, the differential expression pattern observed in the ECM of Pca cells may indicate that LOX is an important molecule that affects the progression of this disease. Therefore, LOX expression level in the ECM may function as an independent predictor of Pca.
Keywords: extracellular matrix; lysyl oxidase; prognosis; prostate cancer.