Exosomal ephrinA2 derived from serum as a potential biomarker for prostate cancer

In this study, we explored the ephrinA2 expression in whole serum and tissues and identified the circulating exosomal ephrinA2 as a potential biomarker for PCa. Exosomes were isolated from patient sera by differential centrifugation and the presence of ephrinA2 was confirmed via electron microscopy and western blotting. The type of ephrinA2 in serum was evaluated by western blotting. The expression of serum ephrinA2 including secreted and cleaved ephrinA2 and exosomal ephrinA2 were detected by ELISA and western blotting. Compared with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and controls, the levels of whole serum ephrinA2 and exosomal ephrinA2 were significantly higher in PCa patients. Moreover, exosomal ephrinA2 expression was positively correlated with TNM staging and Gleason score of PCa patients. The diagnostic efficiency of exosomal ephrinA2 was superior to that of whole serum ephrinA2 and serum PSA in distinguishing PCa patients from those from BPH patents. Our study indicates that exosomal ephrinA2 has high potential as a biomarker for the presence of PCa and offers a new therapeutic target for this disease.
Source: Journal of Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research