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The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Nuclear PML expression as a prognostic biomarker in localised clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Sakari Kosola1,2, Teemu D Laajala3,4, Iida Payne5,6
1Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, FICAN West Cancer Centre University of Turku and Turku University Hospital Turku Finland.
BJUI Compass
|August 1, 2026
Summary
High nuclear promyelocytic leukaemia protein (PML) expression indicates better outcomes for localised clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. This finding may enhance postoperative risk stratification for ccRCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of kidney cancer.
- Accurate prognostic biomarkers are needed for improved risk stratification and patient management in localised ccRCC.
- Nuclear promyelocytic leukaemia protein (PML) has emerged as a potential factor influencing cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic value of nuclear PML expression in localised ccRCC.
- To determine if nuclear PML expression can improve postoperative risk stratification.
- To evaluate the association between nuclear PML expression and patient survival outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of two independent cohorts (n=191 and n=173) of localised ccRCC patients.
- Immunohistochemical staining of primary tumour tissue microarrays for nuclear PML expression.
- Assessment of nuclear PML expression using visual scoring and QuPath-assisted image analysis.
- Statistical evaluation of associations between nuclear PML expression and recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS).
Main Results:
- High nuclear PML expression was significantly associated with improved RFS and CSS in the exploratory cohort.
- Similar positive associations were observed in the validation cohort in univariable analyses.
- In multivariable analyses, high nuclear PML expression independently predicted better RFS, CSS, and OS in the validation cohort, even after adjusting for established risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear PML expression serves as a significant prognostic biomarker in localised ccRCC.
- Elevated nuclear PML levels correlate with favourable patient survival outcomes.
- Further validation and mechanistic studies are recommended to fully elucidate the role of nuclear PML in ccRCC.
