Peng Qiang, Wong Christine Yim-Ping, Cheuk Isabella Wai-Yin, Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun, Chiu Peter Ka-Fung, Ng Chi-Fai
SH Ho Urology Centre, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Apr 22;22(9):4382. doi: 10.3390/ijms22094382.
Spermine, a member of polyamines, exists in all organisms and is essential for normal cell growth and function. It is highly expressed in the prostate compared with other organs and is detectable in urine, tissue, expressed prostatic secretions, and erythrocyte. A significant reduction of spermine level was observed in prostate cancer (PCa) tissue compared with benign prostate tissue, and the level of urinary spermine was also significantly lower in men with PCa. Decreased spermine level may be used as an indicator of malignant phenotype transformation from normal to malignant tissue in prostate. Studies targeting polyamines and key rate-limiting enzymes associated with spermine metabolism as a tool for PCa therapy and chemoprevention have been conducted with various polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors and polyamine analogues. The mechanism between spermine and PCa development are possibly related to the regulation of polyamine metabolism, cancer-driving pathways, oxidative stress, anticancer immunosurveillance, and apoptosis regulation. Although the specific mechanism of spermine in PCa development is still unclear, ongoing research in spermine metabolism and its association with PCa pathophysiology opens up new opportunities in the diagnostic and therapeutic roles of spermine in PCa management.
精胺是多胺的一种，存在于所有生物体中，对正常细胞生长和功能至关重要。与其他器官相比，它在前列腺中高度表达，并且在尿液、组织、前列腺分泌物和红细胞中均可检测到。与良性前列腺组织相比，前列腺癌（PCa）组织中的精胺水平显著降低，PCa男性患者的尿精胺水平也显著降低。精胺水平降低可能用作前列腺从正常组织向恶性组织恶性表型转变的指标。已经使用各种多胺生物合成抑制剂和多胺类似物开展了以多胺以及与精胺代谢相关的关键限速酶为PCa治疗和化学预防工具的研究。精胺与PCa发生之间的机制可能与多胺代谢、癌症驱动途径、氧化应激、抗癌免疫监视和细胞凋亡调节的调控有关。尽管精胺在PCa发生中的具体机制仍不清楚，但目前关于精胺代谢及其与PCa病理生理学关联的研究为精胺在PCa管理中的诊断和治疗作用开辟了新机遇。
