Background: There is the evidence of the role of the fibroblast growth factor and its receptors (FGF/FGFR) signaling pathway in tumorogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We conducted a study aimed at evaluating of FGF2, FGFR1, and FGFR2 expression in primary tumor cells and assessing of these molecules expression levels effect on the characteristics of the tumor process and prognosis of patients with RCC.
Methods: Expression of FGF2, FGFR1, and FGFR2 was investigated in 65 primary RCC specimens by immuhistochemical staining using the appropriate antibodies. Expression levels were evaluated by the semi-quantitative method. A search for correlations of expression levels of investigated growth factors and receptors with RCC features and patients outcomes was performed.
Results: Cytoplasm and membrane expression of FGF2, FGFR1, and FGFR2 was found in the primary tumor cells of RCC patients. FGF2 staining was detected in 60.0% of cases (44.2 ± 5.4 HS). It was noted higher frequency and intensity of FGFR2 expression (66.2%; 46.6 ± 6.3 HS) comparing with FGFR1 (32.3%; 7.5 ± 2.2 HS). The correlation was revealed between the investigated markers overexpression and Fuhrman grade G3-4, as well as features of advanced RCC (paranephric fat tumor invasion, venous wall tumor invasion, adrenal and liver metastases). FGFR2 overexpression showed negative influence on cancer-specific survival in univariate analysis, however, lost its predictive value in multivariable analysis.
Conclusion: Expression of FGF2 and its receptors was found on the surface and in the cytoplasm of RCC primary tumor cells and needs following investigations.
Keywords: Renal cell carcinoma; expression; fibroblast growth factor; fibroblast growth factor receptor; primary tumor; survival.
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