['To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of thrombospondin (TSP), a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis, in human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.', 'The expression of TSP-1, TSP-2 and CD36 receptor was assessed in 73 tissue specimens using immunohistochemistry; specimens were from 32 patients with BPH, seven with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and 34 with cancer.', 'Immunohistochemistry showed that all 39 patients with BPH and PIN had TSP-1-positive glands. In contrast, none of the 34 patients with cancer had positive TSP-1 staining in the cancer tissue. All 73 patients were positive for TSP receptor CD36 and negative for TSP-2.'] Is the expression of thrombospondin-1 in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia decreased in prostate cancer?