Conclusions
MMP12 may serve as a biomarker to estimate postoperative cRCC relapse and as a possible target for penfluridol therapy.
Methods
Global microarray-based gene expression analysis of RCCs with and without sarcomatous changes revealed that a high MMP12 expression was associated with a sarcomatous histology. Additionally, we analysed MMP12 expression using a multi-tissue array comprising 736 cRCC patients without metastasis at the time of surgery. The median follow-up time was 66 ± 29 months.
Purpose
Approximately 15% of clinically localised conventional renal cell carcinomas (cRCC) develop metastases within 5 years of follow-up. Sarcomatous cRCC is a highly malignant cancer of the kidney. The aim of our study was to identify biomarkers for estimating the postoperative progression of cRCCs.
Results
Immunohistochemistry revealed MMP12 expression in 187 of 736 cRCCs with good follow-up data. Subsequent Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with MMP12 positive tumours exhibited a significantly shorter tumour-free survival (p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis a weak to strong MMP12 expression indicated a 2.4-2.8 times higher risk of postoperative tumour relapse (p < 0.001; p < 0.003, respectively). Conclusions: MMP12 may serve as a biomarker to estimate postoperative cRCC relapse and as a possible target for penfluridol therapy.