RANKL/RANK/OPG cytokine receptor system: mRNA expression pattern in BPH, primary and metastatic prostate cancer disease

Background The cytokine system RANKL (receptor activator of NF- κ B ligand), its receptor RANK and the antagonist OPG (osteoprotegerin) play a critical role in bone turnover. Our investigation was conducted to describe the gene expression at primary tumour site in prostate cancer patients and correlate the results with Gleason Score and PSA level. Methods Seventy-one samples were obtained from prostate cancer patients at the time of radical prostatectomy and palliative prostate resection ( n = 71). Patients with benign prostate hyperplasia served as controls ( n = 60). We performed real-time RT-PCR after microdissection of the samples. Results The mRNA expression of RANK was highest in tumour tissue from patients with bone metastases ( p