Netrin-1: The new tumor markers in renal clear cell carcinoma

ObjectiveTo explore the expression of Netrin-1 protein in human renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC) and the relationships between Netrin-1, pathology and prognosis.Methods72 cases of RCCC admitted in our hospital from 2008 June to 2009 June and their adjacent tissues were selected for study. They included 30 cases in stage Ⅰ–Ⅱ, 42 cases in stage Ⅲ–Ⅳ; 9 cases in grade Ⅰ, 9 cases in grade Ⅱ, 40 cases in grade Ⅲ and 14 cases in grade Ⅳ. All cases were followed up for more than 5 years. Survival analysis lines were made by Kaplan–Meier method and the difference between groups was tested by the Log-rank test. The expression of Netrin-1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and its clinical significance was analyzed.ResultsRenal clear cell carcinoma: 51 cases in high expression of Netrin-1 and 21 cases in low expression, normal tissues: 12 cases in high expression of Netrin-1 and 60 cases in low expression, the difference between the two groups is significant (χ2 = 42.921, P ＜ 0.01). The difference of the expression of Netrin-1in Fuhrman grade and AJCC clinical stage is significant (χ2 = 8.000, χ2 = 6.203; P＜0.05). The 5-year survival rate in low protein expression group and in high protein expression group was 79％ (17/21) and 62％ (32/51). The survival curve had different trend, with no significant difference between groups ((χ2 = 1.360, P = 0.245).ConclusionsNetrin-1 protein plays an important role in the development of RCCC. It might be a new specific tumor marker of RCCC, and might become a new target in treatment of RCCC.