RESUMO
Purpose To investigate relationship between androgen receptor and apoptotic index and to further understand the tumor biology of prostate cancer. Methods Fifty-six patients with histologically proven prostate cancer and 20 cases with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) were collected. Androgen receptor(AR) were stained by 2H12 monoclonal antibody using immunohistochemical method. The apoptotic index (AI) was determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transterase-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique on serial sections of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues. Results AR was not found significantly difference (P>0.05) between prostate cancer and BPH. The association of AR with AI according to Gleason score were not observed in prostate cancer. AI were significantly higher in prostate cancer compared to BPH (P<0.05).AI were also significantly higher in AR-positive prostate cancer than in AR-negative prostate cancer（P<0.05）. Conclusion AR expression can induce prostate cancer cells to become apoptosis, and may be a useful predictor in functional classification and endocrine response of prostate cancer.