Twenty consecutive specimens of radical prostatectomy (RP) were retrieved from our surgical pathology archives. PSMA immunoexpression (Clone 3E6, DAKO) was assessed in a representative section from each specimen containing neurovascular bundle elements.
PSMA expression was documented in 20/20 of examined CaP slides. Most cases exhibited an apical/cytoplasmic or cytoplasmic with membranous accentuation pattern of staining. Focal weak to moderate cytoplasmic staining was detected in associated ganglionic tissue in 3/15 of the examined RP. In all cases, staining was cytoplasmic, less extensive, and weaker than the pattern observed in CaP. None of the peripheral nerve sheath cells or lymphovascular components of the examined neurovascular bundles were positive for PSMA.
We found focal positive PSMA expression in the ganglionic cells of the prostatic neurovascular bundle. Our results suggest that the radioimmunoscintigraphic detection of radiolabeled PSMA antibodies might not be entirely specific for prostatic cells; this observation must be taken into account should an intraoperative PSMA-based fluorescent imaging technique be used to define the extension of the surgical procedure.