Abstract C046: Unraveling prostate cancer biomarkers: A comparative analysis of alpha-methylacyl-coa racemase and p63 in wistar rats to address health disparities

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men, particularly in populations facing significant health disparities. Environmental factors, such as cadmium exposure, and hormonal influences, particularly testosterone, are implicated in prostate carcinogenesis. This study investigates the expression of Alpha-Methylacyl-CoA Racemase (AMACR) and P63 biomarkers in Wistar rats exposed to cadmium chloride and testosterone, utilizing immunohistochemistry techniques to elucidate their roles in prostate cancer development. A total of 15 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Group A (control) received a standard diet, Group B was administered 2 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and Group C received 1 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2) combined with 5 mg/kg testosterone propionate injection dissolved in olive oil. Following a 28-day treatment period, prostate glands were harvested for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Results indicated that cadmium exposure alone did not induce prostate cancer, as evidenced by preserved basal cell markers (P63) and absence of AMACR expression. In contrast, the combination of cadmium chloride and testosterone propionate resulted in significant histopathological changes, including hyperplasia and tumor formation, with AMACR expression observed in malignant tissues and loss of P63 expression, confirming the transition to malignancy. These findings suggest that while cadmium acts as a carcinogen, testosterone serves as a promoter, enhancing the carcinogenic effects of cadmium in prostate tissue. This research underscores the importance of AMACR and P63 as biomarkers for distinguishing between benign and malignant prostate conditions. The implications of cadmium and testosterone exposure on prostate cancer development highlight the need for preventive measures and further investigation into their molecular mechanisms. Ultimately, this study highlights the potential of AMACR and P63 as biomarkers for prostate cancer, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to mitigate cadmium exposure and regulate testosterone therapy, particularly in high-risk populations. Citation Format: Chinenye Mary. Okorochi, Kehinde Elizabeth. Olukoya, Gerald Ikechi. Eze, Federick Olusegun. Akinbo, Enoch Chibuike. Okorochi. Unraveling prostate cancer biomarkers: A comparative analysis of alpha-methylacyl-coa racemase and p63 in wistar rats to address health disparities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C046.