Abstract
Background: Currently, it is a priority to develop prognostic biomarkers that would allow the identification of patients with progressing prostate diseases with a low risk of progression, so that unnecessary treatment and patient burden can be avoided. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical features and concentrations of selected mediators of apoptosis, markers of inflammation, and immunoexpression of Ki67 and selected mediators of inflammation in patients with PCa after prostatectomy procedures and who underwent palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases, as well as patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: A total of 88 patients, including 54 cases with PCa and 34 with BPH, were included. Stage and tumor grades were determined according to Gleason's grading system. Immunoenzymatic methods were used to determine apoptotic and inflammatory mediators in serum, as well as deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) reaction, and immunohistochemistry to determine selected markers of inflammation and Ki67 expression. Results: Strong differentiating indicators were revealed, such as Ki67, and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2. Ki-67 expression was significantly associated with the Gleason score. In turn, the tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFRII) showed the highest expression in the inflammatory environment of cancer in the metastatic stage. Conclusions: Ki67 and TNFRII can be classified as high-value clinical markers. These factors may be treated as markers regarding future information about the implementation or withdrawal of more aggressive treatment to possibly avoid toxic complications associated with both increased doses in radiotherapy and prolonged hormonal therapy.