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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
A Next-generation Tissue Microarray (ngTMA) Protocol for Biomarker Studies
Published on: September 23, 2014
Molecular prognosticators of complex karyotype soft tissue sarcoma outcome: a tissue microarray-based study
1Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Background:
Molecular markers are currently being utilized as sensitive prognosticators of cancer patient outcome. We sought to identify prognostic biomarkers for complex karyotype soft tissue sarcoma (STS).
Materials And Methods:
A large (n = 205) clinically annotated tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed and immunostained for several tumor-related markers. Staining was scored via an automated Ariol image analysis system; data were statistically analyzed to evaluate the correlation of clinicopathological and molecular variables with overall survival (OS) and local recurrence.
Results:
Multivariable analysis identified older age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.62, P < 0.0001], nonextremity location (HR 2.95, P = 0.001), high tumor grade (HR 2.5, P = 0.02), and increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 expression (HR 1.74, P = 0.04) as predictors for poor OS. Similarly, older age (HR 1.51, P = 0.008), nonextremity location (HR 4.09, P = 0.001), and increased MMP2 expression (HR 6.28, P = 0.006) were all found to correlate with shorter local recurrence-free interval. High nuclear p53 expression was associated with shorter STS local recurrence-free interval, with a trend toward significance.
Conclusions:
Data presented indicate that a clinically annotated TMA can be utilized to identify STS-related prognostic markers. Specifically, MMP2 and nuclear p53 should be further evaluated for their potential inclusion in complex karyotype STS staging systems.
