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Biological significance of p27 and Skp2 expression in renal cell carcinoma. A systematic analysis of primary and metastatic tumour tissues using a tissue microarray technique

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Abstract

p27 (p27/kip1) is involved in cell-cycle control, and loss of p27 expression may result in tumour development and/or progression. Association with Skp2 targets p27 for degradation. Using a tissue microarray technique, 171 primary renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and 58 RCC metastases were immunostained for p27 and Skp2. p27 Immunoreactivity was noted in 83 of 129 (64%) clear cell, 6 of 22 (27%) chromophobe and 15 of 20 (75%) papillary tumours as well as 44 of 58 (76%) metastases. In clear cell cancers, high p27 expression (≥50% of tumour cells) decreased with rising tumour stage (50% pT1/pT2 versus 20% pT3; P<0.001) and grade (44% G1/G2 versus 21% G3/G4; P=0.008). None of 22 chromophobe cancers showed high expression in contrast to 46 of 129 (36%) clear cell tumours (P<0.001). Skp2 expression was noted in 8 of 129 (6%) clear cell cancers and 11 of 55 (20%) metastases (P=0.008). Immunoreactivity increased with rising tumour stage (1% pT1/pT2 versus 11% pT3; P=0.03) and grade (1% G1/G2 versus 15% G3/G4; P=0.004) and was associated with sarcomatoid morphology (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, patients with low p27 expression and Skp2 immunoreactivity in clear cell cancers had a less favourable outcome. In conclusion, p27 and Skp2 proved to be additional biomarkers in renal cancer pathology with both prognostic and diagnostic impact.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mrs. M. Gogg-Kamerer, Mrs. M. Lindbauer, Mrs. A. Sommersacher, Mr. M. Al-Effah and Mr. R. Christof for excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 25, 8036 , Graz, Austria

    Cord Langner & Manfred Ratschek

  2. Institute of Pathology, Medical School Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 , Hannover, Germany

    Reinhard von Wasielewski

  3. Department of Surgery, Division of Biomedical Engineering and Computing, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036 , Graz, Austria

    Peter Rehak

  4. Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 7, 8036 , Graz, Austria

    Richard Zigeuner

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  1. Cord Langner
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Correspondence to Cord Langner.

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Langner, C., von Wasielewski, R., Ratschek, M. et al. Biological significance of p27 and Skp2 expression in renal cell carcinoma. A systematic analysis of primary and metastatic tumour tissues using a tissue microarray technique. Virchows Arch 445, 631–636 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-004-1121-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-004-1121-2

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