COEXISTENCE OF CD44 AND KI-67 AS THE PROGNOSTIC MARKERS IN RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Objective: An important feature of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is its changeable prognosis. In recent years, several potential biomarkers have been investigated and confirmatory studies of these promising biomarkers are necessary to improve the clinical practice. In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of CD44 expression by comparing it with Ki-67 and p53 in clear cell RCC.Material and Methods: Formalin- fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of clear cell RCC from 34 patients, who had undergone radical or partial nephrectomy, were included in this study. Correlations between CD44, Ki-67 and p53 immunohistochemical expressions and clinicopathological parameters were determined.Results: CD44-high expression group (HEG) was significantly associated (p=0.035) and correlated (p=0.016, r=0.41) with a high nuclear grade. Similarly, the Ki-67-HEG was significantly associated (p=0.01) and correlated (p=0.01, r=0.436) with a high nuclear grade. We also found significant association (p<0.01) and correlation (p<0.01, r=0.621) between expressions of these markers. However, no antigen-antibody interaction was detected by p53 staining in clear cell RCC tissue sections.Conclusion: We concluded that increased expressions of CD44 and Ki-67 in tumour tissues predict an aggressive course of RCC patients.