ROR2 and Wnt5a expression in stage 1 pure testicular seminomas

To elucidate the prognostic utility of several biomarkers including ROR2/Wnt5a in stage 1 pure seminoma, which is a highly curable tumor in need of prognostic markers to avoid unnecessary treatment.

A total of 47 patients of stage 1 seminoma who underwent radical orchiectomy were included in the study. Tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical analysis of placental alkaline phosphatase, D2-40, c-Kit, Oct-3/4, ROR2, Wnt5a, beta-catenin, CD30, vimentin, pancytokeratin, beta-hCG and p53 was conducted, and relevant clinicopathologic features were assessed.

ROR2 protein revealed strong diffuse membranous immunoreactivity (IR) in 12.8% and partial weak IR in 40.4%, respectively. Cytoplasimc Wnt5a IR was observed in 27.7%. ROR2 IR was correlated with Wnt5a IR (p = 0.029) and Oct3/4 IR (p = 0.035). c-Kit IR was correlated with Wnt5a IR (p = 0.034). No significant differences were found between ROR2/Wnt5a protein expression and the prognostically relevant features such as lymphatic invasion or pathologic T stage. Pathologic T stage was not correlated with rete invasion (p= 0.23). The expression or loss of other aforementioned antibodies was not associated with the prognostic clinicopathologic characteristics.

Our results do not support the relevance of ROR2/Wnt5a as biomarkers in stage 1 pure seminomas. The utility of the explored biomarkers as prognostic or differentiation indicators remains to be clarified.