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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Cathepsin D expression in renal cell cancer-clinical implications
Axel S Merseburger1, Joerg Hennenlotter, Perikles Simon
1Department of Urology, Eberhard - Karls - University Tuebingen, Hoppe - Seyler, Germany. axel.merseburger@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Background:
Whereas the expression of Cathepsin D (Cath D) is suggested to enhance the biological aggressiveness of human malignancies, its role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), however, has not been investigated.
Methods:
By tissue microarray analysis, tumor and benign tissue samples from 176 RCC patients were investigated for Cath D expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blots. Expression levels were correlated to clinical variables and to the postoperative outcome.
Results:
High Cath D expression levels were detected in 29%/9% of tumor and benign tissue samples, respectively (p < 0.0001). In case of a high vs. low Cath D expression level, development of distant metastases was observed in 12% vs. 88% of cases (p < 0.05). With a median follow-up of 50 (2-146) months, high level Cath D expression was correlated with an improved long-term survival when compared with patients presenting with decreased expression [median long-term survival: 82 vs. 53 months in case of a high vs. low expression level] (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The Cath D staining pattern predicted a reduced risk for metastatic spread and tumor dependent death, hereby indicating its role as a biological variable revealing additional prognostic information for renal cell cancer patients. Increased expression of Cath D in tumor vs. benign tissue samples might indicate a role for the development and progression of RCC.