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Expression of hypoxia-inducible protein 2 in renal cell carcinoma: A promising candidate for molecular targeting
Takashi Seo1, Ryuichiro Konda, Jun Sugimura
1Department of Urology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Morioka.
Abstract:
This study investigated the expression of hypoxia-inducible protein 2 (HIG2), a novel renal cell carcinoma (RCC)-associated molecule and an essential growth factor for RCC, in kidneys to elucidate its clinical significance in RCC. An immunohistochemical study of HIG2 was conducted in 93 surgical samples of RCC tissues and 10 samples of normal kidney tissues obtained after nephrectomies for localized RCC. HIG2 expression was also correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Only faint or weak immunostaining for HIG2 was observed in normal kidney samples. HIG2 expression was found in 86% of RCC tissues (80/93). When analyzed by histological type, positive staining for HIG2 was detected in all papillary (7/7), chromophobe (1/1) and cyst-associated (3/3) RCC. In contrast, the HIG2 expression was observed in 85% of clear cell (68/80) and 50% of spindle cell (1/2) RCC. Labeling indices were 74.1, 45.4, 39, 24.8 and 12.1% in papillary, spindle, clear cell, cyst-associated and chromophobe RCC, respectively. A significant increase in HIG2 expression was noted in RCC tissues obtained from patients with high stage RCC, lymph node metastasis and high nuclear grade (p<0.001, p<0.02 and p<0.006, respectively). RCC patients with a negative HIG2 staining had prolonged 5-year cancer-specific survival. In conclusion, HIG2 expression was extensively observed in RCC tissues and was higher in advanced RCC, suggesting that HIG2 is a candidate for the development of molecular targeting therapy.
Insights
Hypoxia-inducible protein 2 (HIG2) is highly expressed in most renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues and correlates with advanced disease. Negative HIG2 staining indicates better survival, suggesting HIG2 as a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a significant health concern.
- Hypoxia-inducible protein 2 (HIG2) is a novel molecule associated with RCC.
- Understanding HIG2's role is crucial for RCC treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of HIG2 in kidney tissues.
- To elucidate the clinical significance of HIG2 in RCC.
- To correlate HIG2 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of HIG2 expression in 93 RCC tissues and 10 normal kidney samples.
- Correlation of HIG2 expression with RCC histological types, stage, lymph node metastasis, nuclear grade, and survival rates.
Main Results:
- HIG2 was detected in 86% of RCC tissues, with varying expression across histological subtypes.
- HIG2 expression was significantly higher in advanced stage RCC, lymph node metastasis, and high nuclear grade.
- Negative HIG2 staining was associated with prolonged 5-year cancer-specific survival.
Conclusions:
- HIG2 is extensively expressed in RCC and its expression increases with disease progression.
- HIG2 is a potential biomarker for advanced RCC.
- HIG2 represents a candidate for developing novel molecular targeted therapies for RCC.
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