ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of combined staining of 34βE12 and α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase (34βE12 /AMACR) by comparing it with the values of 34βE12 and AMACR staining separately. Methods: Totally 31 prostate specimens (4 μm thickness), including 18 prostate cancer (PCa) specimens, 10 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens, and 3 normal prostate specimens, were subjected to 34βE12 and AMACR staining separately and a combined staining of both. The results of the 3 staining methods were compared. Results: The results of 34βE12 single staining and combined staining were negative in all 18 PCa specimens and were positive in all BPH and normal specimens. Single AMACR staining was positive in 88.9% PCa specimens. In the combined staining 94.4% PCa specimens were positively for AMACR. There was an excellent agreement between the AMACR staining profiles in the combined staining and in single AMACR staining. Conclusion: Combined 34βE12/AMACR staining possesses certain diagnostic value for PCa, especially when the sample size is small and the lesions are limited or small.