Expression and prognostic value of platelet-derived growth factor-AA and its receptor α in nephroblastoma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential role of platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) and the PDGF-α receptor as prognostic markers in Wilms' tumour. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of PDGF-AA and PDGF-α were investigated using immunohistochemical analysis of 62 Wilms' tumours. Patients were treated with chemotherapeutic agents before surgery and had a mean follow-up of 6.4 years. RESULTS: PDGF-AA and PDGF-α were expressed by the mesenchymal tissue of the normal kidney and mainly detected in the epithelial component of Wilms' tumour. Immunoreactive tumour epithelium cells were found in 50% and 55% for PDGF-AA and PDGF-α, respectively. The epithelial expression of both PDGF-AA and PDGF-α correlated with pathological stage. Univariate analysis showed that epithelial PDGF-AA and PDGF-α receptor expression were indicative of clinical progression. In a multivariate analysis, PDGF-α protein expression by epithelial cells was an independent prognostic marker of a favourable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of both PDGF-AA and PDGF-α in the epithelial part of Wilms' tumour correlated with tumour stage and clinical progression. Our data suggest that both PDGF-AA and PDGF-α receptor expression are related to prognosis.

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