Premium
Cytoplasmic expression of β‐catenin is an independent predictor of progression of conventional renal cell carcinoma: a simple immunostaining score
Author(s) -
Kovacs Gyula,
Billfeldt Nina Kaerger,
Farkas Nelli,
Dergez Timea,
Javorhazy Andras,
Banyai Daniel,
Pusztai Csaba,
Szanto Arpad
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.13059
Subject(s) - proportional hazards model , renal cell carcinoma , oncology , medicine , cancer , immunohistochemistry , pathology , kidney cancer
Aims The aims of this study were to investigate the potential of β‐catenin as a biomarker for predicting cancer‐specific survival, and to find a reproducible mode of evaluation of immunohistochemistry. Methods and results β‐Catenin expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 488 patients with conventional renal cell carcinoma ( RCC ) operated on between 2000 and 2010. The association between β‐catenin expression and cancer‐specific survival was assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression models in relation to conventional clinical pathological prognostic factors, and by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with the log rank test. The univariate Cox regression model revealed an association of cytoplasmic β‐catenin positivity and pathological variables with cancer‐specific death. The multivariate Cox regression model analysis of tumours without metastatic disease at the first presentation identified the T‐classification ( P < 0.001) and cytoplasmic β‐catenin positivity as risk factors for postoperative tumour progression. Specifically, cytoplasmic β‐catenin expression was an independent factor indicating an unfavourable prognosis, with a four‐fold higher risk of cancer‐specific death (relative risk 4.017; 95% confidence interval 2.489–6.482; P < 0.001). The median survival time for patients with tumours showing cytoplasmic accumulation of β‐catenin was 48 months, whereas the overall survival time was 166 months. Conclusions Cytoplasmic β‐catenin expression is an independent prognostic factor for conventional RCC , and may help to identify patients with a high risk of cancer‐specific death and to direct optimized active surveillance or adjuvant therapy.