Аннотация:Introduction The aim of our study was to investigate expression levels and the prognostic value of multiple
growth factors and their receptors in the primary tumor cells of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Material and methods Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)A, fibroblast growth factor
(FGF)2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)1, VEGFR2, FGFR1, FGFR2, platelet-derived
growth factor receptor (PDGFR)α, and PDGFRβ was investigated in 65 primary RCC specimens by immuhistochemical
staining using the appropriate antibodies. Expression levels were evaluated by the semi-quantitative
method. A search for correlations of expression levels of investigated growth factors and receptors
with RCC features and patients outcomes was performed.
Results Expression of all growth factors and their receptors was detected both on the surface and in the
cytoplasm of the primary tumor cells in RCC patients. The expression of all analyzed factors was interconnected.
FGFR2 expression correlated with the largest number of other growth factors and receptors.
A strong correlation was revealed between high expression of the studied markers, high Fuhrman grade,
and advanced RCC stages. In a univariate analysis overexpression of VEGFR2 (p <0.0001) and FGFR2
(p = 0.014) had negative influence on cancer-specific survival.
Conclusions Expression of growth factors and tyrosine kinase receptors in the primary tumor cells
is strongly interconnected and associated with unfavorable features of RCC.