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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Concomitant CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression predicts poor prognosis in renal cancer
C D'Alterio1, C Consales, M Polimeno
1Department of Oncological Immunology, National Cancer Institute, Naples, G. Pascale, Via Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor implicated in the metastatic process. The CXCR4 ligand, CXCL12, was shown to bind also the CXCR7 receptor, a recently deorphanized chemokine receptor whose signalling pathway and function are still controversial. This study was conducted to determine patients clinic-pathological factors and outcome according to the expressions of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression was evaluated in 223 RCC patients through immunohistochemistry; moreover CXCR4 and CXCR7 was detected in 49 others consecutive RCC patients trough RT- PCR. CXCR4 expression was low in 42/223 RCC (18.8%), intermediate in 71/223 (31.9%) and high in 110/223 (49.3%). CXCR7 expression was low in 44/223 RCC patients (19.8%), intermediate in 65/223 (29.1%) and high in 114/223 (51.1%). High CXCR4 and high CXCR7 expression predicted shorter disease free survival. In multivariate analysis, high CXCR4 expression (p= 0.0061), high CXCR7 (p= 0.0194) expression and the concomitant high expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 (p= 0.0235) are independent prognosis factors. Through RT-PCR, CXCR4 was overexpressed in 36/49 and CXCR7 in 33/49 samples correlating with symptoms at diagnosis and lymph nodes status. So we can hypothesize that CXCR4 and CXCR7, singularly evaluated and in combination, are valuable prognostic factors in RCC patients.
Insights
High expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) correlates with shorter disease-free survival. These receptors, evaluated together or alone, serve as independent prognostic factors for RCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- CXCR4, a chemokine receptor, plays a role in cancer metastasis.
- CXCR7, a related receptor, has a controversial signaling pathway and function.
- Understanding these receptors' roles in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is crucial for prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinicopathological factors and patient outcomes based on CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression in RCC.
- To determine if CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression levels correlate with disease-free survival and overall prognosis in RCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression in 223 RCC patients.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression in 49 additional RCC patients.
- Statistical analysis, including multivariate analysis, was performed to identify prognostic factors.
Main Results:
- High expression of both CXCR4 and CXCR7 was observed in a significant proportion of RCC patients (49.3% and 51.1%, respectively).
- Elevated levels of CXCR4 and CXCR7 were associated with shorter disease-free survival.
- High expression of CXCR4, CXCR7, and their combination were identified as independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.
- RT-PCR results showed overexpression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 correlating with presenting symptoms and lymph node status.
Conclusions:
- CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression levels are significant prognostic indicators in renal cell carcinoma.
- The combined evaluation of CXCR4 and CXCR7 offers valuable prognostic information for RCC patients.
- These findings suggest CXCR4 and CXCR7 as potential therapeutic targets in RCC management.
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