Claudins as prognostic factors for renal cell cancer.

Background: Claudins are tight junction proteins and their expression is often different in normal and corresponding tumor cells. In the present study, we determined how the expression of claudins 1-5 and 7 correlated to survival, grade and stage of patients with renal cell cancer (RCC).

Patients And Methods: Primary tumor samples were collected retrospectively from 229 RCC patients. Claudins were detected by immunohistochemistry using commercial monoclonal antibodies against claudins 1-5 and 7. Median survival time was 6.5 years confidence interval (CI) (4.5-8.5, n=224). Kaplan-Meier survival estimated method was used in survival analyses.

Results: Positive expression was detected in 62%, 67%, 45%, 55%, 7% and 35% of cases for claudins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, respectively. High expression of claudin 2 was observed in 20% of cases while high expression of other claudins was less frequent. Claudins were compared to classical prognostic factors. On cross-tabulation, claudin 1 (p<0.001) and claudin 2 (p=0.009) were significantly associated with lower-grade and higher-grade tumors, respectively. None of the claudins was significantly associated with tumor stage or patient survival.

Conclusion: Claudins 1 and 2 were associated with tumor grade. However, none of the claudins was a more powerful prognostic factor than tumor stage.