Soluble E-cadherin and IL-6 serum levels in patients affected by prostate cancer before and after prostatectomy

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is still the best available tumour marker in prostate cancer (PCa), but presents some limits. Therefore, there is a need for novel markers in the detection and management of PCa. The 80-kDa soluble form of E-cadherin (sE-cad) and the cytokine IL-6 are being discussed as supplemental serum markers for PCa. In this study, sE-cad and IL-6 serum levels were determined in patients with pathological localized or locally advanced PCa without any previous treatment. These patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in accordance with the EAU Guidelines on Prostate Cancer. The molecules were determined via immunoenzymatic assays in samples collected before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed by Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation test. sE-cad levels were 6.0 ± 2.7 and 4.6 ± 2.3 µg/ml, before and after RRP, respectively. A highly statistically significant decrease in sE-cad concentrations after RRP was observed (p