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Activation of Stat3 in renal tumors

Charles Guo1, Guanyu Yang, Kyle Khun

  • 1Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine New York, NY.

American Journal of Translational Research
|December 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Activated Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is more prevalent in aggressive kidney cancers. This finding suggests Stat3 activation could be a prognostic marker or therapeutic target for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Signal Transduction

Background:

  • Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is crucial in cell transformation and apoptosis inhibition.
  • Persistent Stat3 activation is observed in various human cancers.
  • Previous research indicates Stat3 activation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but detailed patterns across histologic types are unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the expression pattern of activated Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pStat3) in different histologic types of renal tumors.
  • To investigate the correlation between Stat3 activation and tumor malignancy potential.
  • To explore the potential of Stat3 activation as a prognostic marker or therapeutic target in renal neoplasia.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of phosphorylated Stat3 (pStat3) using a specific anti-pStat3 antibody.
  • Utilized a tissue microarray comprising various renal tumor types: conventional clear cell RCC, chromophobe RCC, papillary RCC, oncocytoma, urothelial carcinoma, and normal kidney tissue.
  • Quantified nuclear pStat3 staining to assess Stat3 activation levels.

Main Results:

  • Positive nuclear pStat3 staining was detected in 59.5% of conventional clear cell RCC, 33.3% of chromophobe RCC, and 57.1% of papillary RCC.
  • Urothelial carcinomas showed high pStat3 positivity (85.7%), while oncocytomas had lower positivity (26.7%).
  • Non-neoplastic kidney tissue exhibited weak pStat3 immunoreactivity in 19.0% of cases, with increased Stat3 activation correlating with higher malignant potential in renal tumors.

Conclusions:

  • Stat3 activation is elevated in renal tumors with greater malignant potential, including conventional clear cell RCC, papillary RCC, and urothelial carcinoma.
  • Chromophobe RCC shows a slight increase, whereas oncocytoma does not exhibit increased Stat3 activation.
  • These findings highlight the role of Stat3 activation in renal neoplasia and suggest its potential as a prognostic biomarker or therapeutic target.
Keywords:
Signal Transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3)kidney cancersphosphorylationrenal tumorssignal transduction

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