A study of embryonic stem cell-related proteins in human astrocytomas: identification of Nanog as a predictor of survival.

摘要: Recent studies suggest that the regulatory networks controlling functions of stem cells during development may be abnormally active in human cancers. An embryonic cell (ESC) gene signature was found to correlate with a more undifferentiated phenotype several cancer types including gliomas, and associated poor prognosis breast cancer. In present study, we used tissue microarrays 80 low-grade (WHO Grade II) 98 high-grade gliomas Grades III IV) investigate presence ESC-related proteins Nanog, Klf4, Oct4, Sox2 c-Myc by immunohistochemistry. While similar patterns co-expressed between low- were present, up-regulated protein levels Oct4 gliomas. Survival analysis Kaplan-Meier revealed significant shorter survival subgroups astrocytomas (n = 42) high Nanog (p 0.0067) Klf4 0.0368), 85) 0.0042), 0.0447), 0.0078) glioblastomas only 71) 0.0422) 0.0256). multivariate model, identified as an independent prognostic factor 0.0039), 0.0124) 0.0544), together established clinical variables these tumors. These findings provide further evidence for joint pathways identify one key players determining outcome astrocytomas.