Serum hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type I (HAI‐I) and type 2 (HAI‐2) in prostate cancer

AbstractBACKGROUNDHepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI‐1) and type 2 (HAI‐2) are Kunitz‐type serine protease inhibitors for hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA). We attempted to clarify whether serum levels of HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 could be a useful marker in patients with prostate cancer.METHODSSerum levels of HAI‐1 and HAI‐2 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 27 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 118 patients with prostate cancer.RESULTSThe mean serum levels of HAI‐1 in patients with prostate cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with BPH. Furthermore, the serum HAI‐1 levels in patients with distant metastasis and hormone resistant prostate cancer were significantly elevated compared with those in patients with organ‐confined diseases. There were no significant differences in serum HAI‐2 levels among prostate cancer subgroups according to clinical stage. Significantly elevated levels of HAI‐1 were detected in 38 patients with prostate cancer before any treatment.CONCLUSIONSHAI‐1 may be a potential tumor marker for prostate cancer. Further studies in large groups of patients are needed to define the clinical value of HAI‐1. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.