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Published on: July 31, 2017
The study of CD117 expression in glial tumors and its relationship with the tumor-type and grade
Parvin Mahzouni1, Mohsen Jafari
1Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Background:
CD117 is a thyrosin kinase receptor encoded by c-kit proto-oncogene. It is expressed during normal development in some tissues and also in a subset of neoplasia especially gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Treatment with thyrosin kinase inhibitors (e.g., Imatinib) is useful in CD117- positive GISTs. The goal of this study is to investigate the expression of CD117 in glial tumors as a potential diagnostic marker and target for therapy.
Materials And Methods:
in this descriptive-analytical study, paraffin- embedded tissue blocks from 50 cases of glial tumors (various histological types and grades) were selected in a convenience sampling for the CD117 immunhistochemical study including expression of the marker, staining intensity, and percentage of the stained cells. The results were analyzed by Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.
Results:
CD117 expression was detected in about 76% of glial tumors but the frequency of the expression showed no statistically significant relationship with the tumor type (P = 0.829). Although CD117 immunoreactivity was more frequent in high-grade tumors (84%) compared to the low-grade ones (68%), no statistically significant relationship was found between the CD117 expression and grade of the tumor (P = 0.09). Staining intensity and percentage of stained cells in high-grade tumors were significantly more than in low-grade tumors (P values of 0.046 and 0.023, respectively).
Conclusion:
according to the statistically significant difference in the staining intensity and percentage of the stained cells between the low-grade and high-grade glial tumors, these two parameters may be useful for making distinction between various grades of these tumors. Moreover, according to the prominent expression of CD117 in high-grade gliomas, these tumors may be potential candidates for treatment with thyrosin kinase inhibitors.
Insights
CD117 expression is present in most glial tumors, with higher intensity and cell staining in high-grade gliomas. This suggests CD117 may help differentiate tumor grades and potentially serve as a therapeutic target for high-grade gliomas.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- CD117, a tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by the c-kit proto-oncogene, is crucial in normal development and some cancers like GISTs.
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Imatinib) are effective for CD117-positive GISTs.
- Investigating CD117 in glial tumors could reveal a new diagnostic marker and therapeutic target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate CD117 expression in various glial tumors.
- To assess CD117 as a potential diagnostic marker for glial tumors.
- To explore CD117 as a therapeutic target in glial tumors.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive-analytical study involving 50 glial tumor tissue blocks.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of CD117 expression, staining intensity, and percentage of stained cells.
- Statistical analysis using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.
Main Results:
- CD117 expression was found in approximately 76% of glial tumors.
- No significant relationship between CD117 expression frequency and tumor type (P = 0.829).
- Higher-grade gliomas showed significantly greater CD117 staining intensity and percentage of stained cells compared to low-grade gliomas (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Staining intensity and percentage of stained cells for CD117 can help distinguish between low-grade and high-grade glial tumors.
- High-grade gliomas exhibit prominent CD117 expression, indicating potential candidacy for tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.
- CD117 may serve as a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic target in glial tumor management.
