Investigation of Changes in the Expression Levels of NKX3.1 and PTEN Genes in Clinical Prostate Cancer Tissues

Taking its toll as 250000 deaths of men around the world، prostate cancer has been one of the main causes of cancer-related death world-wide. Although prostate-specific antigen)PSA (has long been used as a biomarker for the management of prostate cancer، attempts have recently been shifted to try to find some other markers، largely as a result of PSA limitations as a reliable marker. Two remarkable examples of these biomarkers are NKX3. 1 and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) genes. Here، in line with earlier studies that have drawn an analogy between the concurrent expression of PTEN and NKX3. 1 genes، we decided to evaluate and make a relation between the expression levels of these genes on mRNA level، using quantitative Real-Time PCR. Based on our results، the expression rate of NKX3. 1 and PTEN decreased to 0. 155 and 0. 003، respectively (P = 0. 000). We concluded that the association between the down regulation of PTEN and NKX3. 1 genes is correlated with tumor progression. This result might highlight the interaction between the proteins encoded by these genes. Furthermore، this finding might be exploited as a prospective biomarker for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.