Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Hedgehog(Hh) signaling pathway-related factors Sonic hedgehog(Shh), Patched-1(Ptch-1) and glioma-related oncogene homology-1(Gli-1) in prostate cancer. 
Methods Sixty cases of prostate cancer and normal tissue specimens adjacent to prostate cancer were collected. The positive expressions of Shh, PTCH-1 and GLI-1 in each sample were detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of Shh, Ptch-1 and Gli-1 in each specimen was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The correlation between Shh, PTCH-1, GLI-1 and clinical stage, differentiation degree and serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA) level of prostate cancer  was analyzed. 
Results The positive signal of Shh protein was mainly expressed in cytoplasm or membrane, the positive signal of Ptch-1 protein was mainly expressed in cytoplasm, and the positive signal of Gli-1 protein was mainly expressed in the nucleus or cytoplasm. The positive expression rates of Shh, Ptch-L and Gli-L in prostate cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues(P＜0.05). There was a positive correlation between Shh and Ptch-1 in prostate cancer tissue specimens(P＜0.05), but no correlation between Shh and Gli-1, as well as between Ptch-1 and Gli-1(P＞0.05). There were significant differences in mRNA expression levels of Shh, Ptch-1 and Gli-1 in prostate cancer tissues with different clinical stages, degrees of differentiation and serum PSA level(P＜0.05). The mRNA expressions of Shh, Ptch-1 and Gli-1 in prostate cancer tissues were positively correlated with clinical stage, degree of differentiation and serum PSA level(P＜0.05). 
Conclusion The up-regulated expression levels of Shh, Ptch-1 and Gli-1 in prostate cancer tissues are correlated with the clinical stage and differentiation degree of prostate cancer, suggesting that Shh, PTCH-1 and GLI-1 are closely associated with the occurrence and development of prostate cancer. Therefore, inhibition of Hh signaling pathway is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Key words: prostatic neoplasms, sonic hedgehog, glioma related oncogene homology-1