PAX6 is frequently expressed in ependymal tumours and associated with prognostic relevant subgroups

An ependymoma shows divergent morphological and molecular features depending on their location. The paired box 6 (PAX6) transcription factor is a putative tumour suppressor and drives cancer cells towards a stem cell-like state. A transcriptome study reported high PAX6 expression in ependymal tumours, but data on protein expression are lacking.

We demonstrate that PAX6 is frequently expressed in human ependymal tumours and immunohistochemistry may be helpful in determining prognostic relevant subgroups.

We, therefore, analysed PAX6 expression by immunohistochemistry in 172 ependymoma samples and correlated its expression to histology, WHO grade, anatomical location and molecular subgroups.

Mean PAX6 nuclear expression in ependymoma was 27.5% (95% CI 23.3 to 31.7). PAX6 expression in subependymoma (mean: 5%) was significantly lower compared with myxopapillary (30%), WHO grade II (26%) and anaplastic ependymoma (35%). Supratentorial ependymomas also displayed significant lower PAX6 levels (15%) compared with spinal cord tumours (30%). Expression levels in YAP1-fused ependymoma (41%) were higher compared with REL-associated protein (RELA)-fusion positive tumours (17%), while PAX6 expression was similar in posterior fossa group A (33%) and B (29%) ependymomas. Kaplan-Meier analysis in RELA-fusion positive ependymomas and posterior fossa group B showed a significant better outcome for PAX6 at or above the cut-off of 19.45% compared with tumours with PAX6 below the cut-off. Conclusions: We demonstrate that PAX6 is frequently expressed in human ependymal tumours and immunohistochemistry may be helpful in determining prognostic relevant subgroups.