Tissue factor expression predicts outcome in children with neuroblastoma: A retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and invasiveness are influenced by blood coagulation factors.
• Tissue factor (TF) plays a key role in coagulation and regulates intracellular signaling pathways crucial for tumor development.
• The role of TF in neuroblastoma, a common pediatric cancer, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess TF expression in neuroblastoma tissues.
• To investigate the association between TF expression and clinicopathological features, including tumor stage, pathology, and patient outcome.
• To explore the relationship between TF expression and MYCN proto-oncogene bHLH transcription factor (MYCN) status.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemical analysis of TF expression in 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded neuroblastoma tissues.
• Evaluation of MYCN gene expression levels.
• Statistical analysis to determine associations between TF expression and clinicopathological parameters and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• TF expression was detected in 75% of neuroblastoma tissues.
• No significant association was found between TF expression and sex, age, tumor stage, or disease pathology.
• A significant association was observed between TF expression and MYCN upregulation (P<0.05).
• TF expression was a significant predictor of patient outcome, with 60% of patients with positive TF expression succumbing to the disease.

Conclusions:

• TF expression is prevalent in neuroblastoma and is significantly associated with MYCN status.
• TF expression serves as a promising prognostic indicator for neuroblastoma patients.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate TF's role in neuroblastoma progression and its potential as a therapeutic target.