Combined assessment of low PGRMC1/positive ATP1A1 levels has enhanced prognostic value for renal cell carcinoma

Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and Na+/K+‑ATPase α1 subunit (ATP1A1) are two proteins associated with the clinical prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and RCC cell proliferation. However, the two proteins have been previously studied independently, and their combined influence on the clinical outcome of RCC remains unclear. The present study suggests that the combined expression levels of PGRMC1 and ATP1A1 (PGRMC1/ATP1A1) are associated with the clinical prognosis of RCC patients. RCC patients with low PGRMC1/positive ATP1A1 levels exhibited the best overall survival (OS) outcomes (103.08±1.85 months). The high PGRMC1/negative ATP1A1 group demonstrated the worst prognosis (73.1±8.87 months). The low PGRMC1/positive ATP1A1 group had the highest 7‑year OS rate (92.3%). The high PGRMC1/negative ATP1A1 group had the lowest 7‑year OS rate (46.7%). Although PGRMC1 and ATP1A1 both act on AKT phosphorylation in RCC cells, their expression levels are independent of each other. Moreover, the synergistic suppressive roles of PGRMC1 downregulation combined with ATP1A1 upregulation exhibit more efficient tumor inhibition potentials on RCC cells. Therefore, combined assessment of the two biomarkers (PGRMC1/ATP1A1) shows enhanced prognostic ability for RCC.

Oncology reports. 2018 Jul 02 [Epub ahead of print]

Yu He, Peng Zhang, Dan Zhang, Zijing Xia, Xixi Wang, Shi Deng, Haocheng Li, Hongxia Zhu, Ningzhi Xu, Shufang Liang

State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China., Department of Urinary Surgery, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China., State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China., Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China., Department of Urinary Surgery, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China., Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada., Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, P.R. China.