CD44s, E-cadherin and PCNA as markers for progression in renal cell carcinoma

CD44s, E-cadherin in and PCNA play an important role in the tumorigenesis o f renal cell carcinoma (RCC) although their significance in the clinical pr ogression of RCC is still not cleat: In n=137 cases of operatively resected RCC the expression of CD44s, E-cadherin and PCNA was semiquantitatively an alyzed by the APAAP immunohistochemical method The mean observations period of the n=74 (54%) of patients with no evidence of disease was 52.6 months and for the n=63 (46%) patients with progressive disease was 18.7 months. T he mean progression fi ee period occuring with absent or low levels of CD44 s and PCNA exp,expression was 79 and 118+ months, and with strong expressio n was 22 and 18 months (p<0.001), respectively With strong E-cadherin expre ssion the progression Fee period was 110+ months, and with low expression 6 1 months (p=0.01). A high CD44s/E-cadherin ratio and an above average PCNA expression were identified as independent prognostic parameters for the pro gression tendency of RCC.