A Study on the Immunohistochemical Expressions of Leptin and Leptin Receptor in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2020
Abstract
Background. The mechanisms that link obesity and cancer development are not well-defined. Investigation of leptin and leptin receptor expressions may help define some of the mechanisms. These proteins are known for associating with the immune response, angiogenesis and, signalling pathways such as JAK2/STAT3, PI3K, and AKT pathways. Tissue proteins can be easily detected with immunohistochemistry (IHC), a technique widely used both in diagnostic and research laboratories. The identification of altered levels of leptin and leptin receptor proteins in tumour tissues may lead to targeted treatment for cancer.Objective. The objective of this study was to use IHC to compare leptin and leptin receptor expressions in clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) in non-obese and obese patients to determine the association between these proteins with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of ccRCC.Patients and Methods. The study involved 60 patients who underwent nephrectomy of which 34 were obese, as assessed using body mass index (BMI). Nephrectomy samples provided tissues of ccRCC and adjacent non-cancerous kidney. The intensity and localization of leptin and leptin receptor protein expressions were evaluated using IHC and correlated with clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes. Aperio ImageScope morphometry and digital pathology were applied to assess the IHC results. The chi-square test was used to determine if there was any significant association between the proteins and the clinicopathological features. The Kaplan-Meier test was used to determine the overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence-free survival. A value ofp<0.05was considered significant.Results. There was neither significant difference in the overall cellular and nuclear expressions of leptin and leptin receptor between non-cancerous kidney and ccRCC tissues nor in non-obese and obese individuals with ccRCC.Conclusion. In this present study, it was revealed that leptin and leptin receptor were not associated with tumour characteristics and progression of ccRCC patients. Interestingly, nuclear expression of leptin was significantly associated with overall survival. However, the significance of these proteins as biomarkers in other RCC histotypes is still unclear.
Keywords
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomarkers, Tumor
Divisions
fac_med,surgerydept
Publication Title
BioMed Research International
Volume
2020
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publisher Location
ADAM HOUSE, 3RD FLR, 1 FITZROY SQ, LONDON, W1T 5HF, ENGLAND