Expression and functional role of inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein livin (BIRC7) in neuroblastoma

We evaluated the expression of the inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein (IAP) livin (BIRC7) in 59 cases of neuroblastoma (NBL) by quantitative RT-PCR. We also examined the role of livin in protecting tumor cells from chemotherapy drugs. Livin expression varied significantly among tumors. High levels of expression were observed in 17 of 39 patients with advanced stages (stages 3 and 4) and 6 of 20 patients with localized stages (stages 1 and 2). Livin-transfected, MYCN-amplified NBL cells showed increased resistance to doxorubicin and etoposide. Conversely, livin knockdown with siRNA enhanced spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis in NBL cells. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that high livin expression worsened prognosis for patients with MYCN-amplified tumors. Our data suggest that (i) livin is frequently expressed in NBL and protects tumor cells with amplified MYCN oncogene from genotoxic agents; (ii) the antiapoptotic effect of livin in NBL is blocked by siRNA; (iii) in the sample studied, high livin expression enhanced the adverse prognostic impact of MYCN amplification. These findings suggest that livin may contribute to drug resistance in NBL.

Research highlights
► The IAP livin (BIRC7) is frequently expressed in neuroblastoma.
► High levels of livin protect tumor cells with amplifiedMYCNoncogene from genotoxic agents.
► The antiapoptotic effect of livin in neuroblastoma is blocked by siRNA.
► High livin expression enhanced the adverse prognostic impact of MYCN amplification.