Reduced WWOX protein expression in human astrocytoma
William Winardi1, Cheng-Yu Tsai, Wan-Tzu Chen
1School of Medicine, Poznan University, Poznan, Poland.
Summary
Loss of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) protein expression is common in astrocytomas and may be an early event in tumor development. Reduced WWOX correlates with patient age, symptoms, and poorer survival, but not tumor grade.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a known tumor suppressor involved in various signaling pathways.
- WWOX silencing is observed in multiple human cancers, but its role in central nervous system tumors is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of WWOX protein in astrocytomas.
- To determine the correlation between WWOX expression and clinicopathological features, including tumor grade and patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of WWOX protein expression using immunohistochemical staining in 38 astrocytoma patient samples.
- Correlation analysis with patient age, tumor location, symptom severity, Karnofsky performance status, tumor grade, and survival time.
Main Results:
- 50% of astrocytoma samples showed highly reduced WWOX expression compared to normal controls.
- Reduced WWOX expression correlated with older patient age, supra-tentorial location, symptom severity, and decreased survival time.
- No significant correlation was found between WWOX loss and tumor grade, though reduced expression was noted in Grade II and III astrocytomas.
Conclusions:
- Loss of WWOX expression is a frequent event in astrocytomas.
- WWOX downregulation may represent an early event in astrocytoma pathogenesis.
- WWOX expression levels could serve as a potential prognostic marker in astrocytoma.
