Assessment of expression levels of leptin and leptin receptor as potential biomarkers for risk of prostate cancer development and aggressiveness

Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Despite the growing evidence associating obesity and adipokines, particularly leptin and its receptors, with cancer development and progression, it is still a debatable matter in PCa. Objectives We aimed to assess the role of leptin and its receptors as potential biomarkers for the risk of PCa development and aggressiveness. Methods In this study, 176 men were included and categorized according to an established histopathological diagnosis into three age- and BMI-matched groups. The PCa group included 56 patients while the BPH group and the control group comprised 60 men each. Serum levels of total PSA (tPSA) were assessed by ELISA and mRNA expression levels of leptin and leptin receptors were assessed by RT-PCR. Results Leptin and leptin receptor mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in PCa patients relative to BPH and to healthy control men. Both were overexpressed in PCa patients with aggressive and distantly metastasizing tumors compared to patients with confined tumors. Leptin receptor mRNA was an independent predictor of high Gleason score >= 7, distant metastasis, LN, and seminal vesicles invasion. Conclusion Leptin and its receptors are suggested to be potential biomarkers for PCa; leptin receptor mRNA might predict risk and aggressiveness of PCa.