Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Assessment of VAV2 Expression Refines Prognostic Prediction in Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Silviu Sbiera1, Iuliu Sbiera1, Carmen Ruggiero2,3,4,5
1Department of Internal Medicine I - Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080 Wurzburg, Germany.
Context:
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with overall poor prognosis. The Ki67 labeling index (LI) has a major prognostic role in localized ACC after complete resection, but its estimates may suffer from considerable intra- and interobserver variability. VAV2 overexpression induced by increased Steroidogenic Factor-1 dosage is an essential factor driving ACC tumor cell invasion.
Objective:
To assess the prognostic role of VAV2 expression in ACC by investigation of a large cohort of patients.
Design, Setting, And Participants:
A total of 171 ACC cases (157 primary tumors, six local recurrences, eight metastases) from seven European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors centers were studied.
Outcome Measurements:
H-scores were generated to quantify VAV2 expression. VAV2 expression was divided into two categories: low (H-score, <2) and high (H-score, ≥2). The Ki67 LI retrieved from patients' pathology records was also categorized into low (<20%) and high (≥20%). Clinical and immunohistochemical markers were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
Results:
VAV2 expression and Ki67 LI were significantly correlated with each other and with PFS and OS. Heterogeneity of VAV2 expression inside the same tumor was very low. Combined assessment of VAV2 expression and Ki67 LI improved patient stratification to low-risk and high-risk groups.
Conclusion:
Combined assessment of Ki67 LI and VAV2 expression improves prognostic prediction in ACC.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer Survival Analysis
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...

