Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
CD98hc (SLC3A2), a novel marker in renal cell cancer
G W Prager1, M Poettler, M Schmidinger
1Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. gerald.prager@medunwien.ac.at
Background:
In a variety of malignant diseases, molecular targeting represents a therapeutic option, whereby, when compared with chemotherapy, fewer side effects are thought to be expected. Especially in renal cell cancer (RCC), tyrosine kinase-inhibitors have been established as useful and highly effective therapy. However, tyrosine kinase-inhibitors currently approved for RCC treatment lack single molecule specificity and bear a variety of side effects of the gastro-intestinal tract, skin, heart and haematopoietic system. Therefore, the identification of novel cell surface markers is sought, which might lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in cancer.
Material And Methods:
Paraffin-embedded RCCs from a well characterized tissue bank were immunohistochemically quantified for embryonic transmembrane antigen CD98hc (SLC3A2) expression and semi-quantitative analyses were correlated with subtype or grade of differentiation.
Results:
We found increased CD98hc expression in different types of malign RCCs, among them clear cell (cc)RCC, papillary (p)RCC and chromophobe (ch)RCC, but lack of expression in the benign renal oncocytoma. Thereby, the extent of CD98hc expression directly complies with grade of malignancy. Furthermore, the more malignant type II pRCC significantly higher expressed CD98hc than the less malignant and more differentiated type I pRCC (type II 83.34%, type I 4.76% CD98hc positive, P < 0.00001; n = 51). The established marker for type I pRCC, Cytokreatin 7, showed 95.24% expression in type I and 26.67% expression in type II pRCC (P < 0.00001, n = 51).
Conclusions:
From these data, we conclude that CD98hc is expressed in RCCs, whereby the extent of expression is likely to correlate directly with grade of malignancy. In pRCCs, CD98hc might represent a novel and reliable marker for type II pRCC.
Insights
Embryonic transmembrane antigen CD98hc (SLC3A2) is upregulated in renal cell cancer (RCC) and correlates with malignancy. CD98hc may serve as a novel diagnostic marker for type II papillary RCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Molecular targeting offers a therapeutic option in malignant diseases with potentially fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
- Tyrosine kinase-inhibitors are established therapies for renal cell cancer (RCC), but lack specificity and cause side effects.
- Novel cell surface markers are needed for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of embryonic transmembrane antigen CD98hc (SLC3A2) in renal cell cancer (RCC).
- To correlate CD98hc expression with RCC subtypes and grade of differentiation.
- To evaluate CD98hc as a potential diagnostic marker for specific RCC subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical quantification of CD98hc (SLC3A2) expression in paraffin-embedded RCC tissues.
- Semi-quantitative analysis of CD98hc expression correlated with RCC subtype and differentiation grade.
- Comparison of CD98hc expression between different RCC subtypes and benign oncocytoma.
Main Results:
- CD98hc expression was increased in malignant RCC subtypes (clear cell, papillary, chromophobe) but absent in benign renal oncocytoma.
- The extent of CD98hc expression directly correlated with the grade of malignancy in RCC.
- Type II papillary RCC (pRCC), a more malignant subtype, showed significantly higher CD98hc expression (83.34%) compared to type I pRCC (4.76%).
Conclusions:
- CD98hc is expressed in RCC, with expression levels correlating with malignancy grade.
- CD98hc may serve as a novel and reliable biomarker for distinguishing type II pRCC.
- Targeting CD98hc could offer new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues for RCC.
Related Concept Videos
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:20Renal Corpuscle
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...