Forkhead box protein M1 predicts outcome in human osteosarcoma.

Purpose: In the present study, we examined both FOXM1 mRNA and protein expression by Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot and investigate the expression of the human FOXM1 by Immunohistochemistry (IHC), and identify their potential roles in prognosis for patients with osteosarcoma.

Methods: FOXM1 mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot assays, respectively. Then, IHC was performed to analyze the association of FOXM1 expression in 83 osteosarcoma tissues with clinicopathological factors and survival of patients.

Results: The expression levels of FOXM1 mRNA were found to be significantly increased in osteosarcoma tissues compared to noncancerous bone tissues (P = 0.0313). Simultaneously, western blot analysis showed that the protein level of FOXM1 in osteosarcoma tissues was significantly higher than that in noncancerous bone tissues. Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test indicated that high FOXM1 expression had a significant impact on overall survival (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions: Our data showed that FoxM1 was upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues, and high expression of FoxM1 was correlated with a poor prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. FoxM1 may function as a valuable prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma.