Expression of Ring Box-1 protein and its relationship with Fuhrman grade and other clinical-pathological parameters in renal cell cancer.

To determine the relationship between RING-box protein 1 (RBX-1) expression and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with prognostic factors.

A total of 88 patients who underwent radical/partial nephrectomy between January 2009 and January 2016 have been included in our study. The age, gender, tumor location, tumor size, and tumor-node-metastasis stage of each patient was evaluated. From the best sections in hematoxylin-eosin stained pathology preparations, tumor histological subtype, Fuhrman nuclear grade, lymphovascular invasion, renal artery/vein invasion, capsule invasion, perirenal fatty tissue invasion, and tumor grade were evaluated. Participants were divided into 2 groups according to Fuhrman grade. Fuhrman grades 1 to 2 comprised Group 1, and Fuhrman grades 3 to 4 comprised Group 2. An immunoreactivity scoring system was used to evaluate RBX-1 expression.

Upon examining all histological subtypes together, it was observed that RBX-1 expression was statistically higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (P < 0.008). Upon examining clear RCC cases, it was observed again that Group 2 had a higher RBX-1 expression than Group 1 (P < 0.009). RBX-1 expression was not associated with clinical-pathological parameters including tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, capsule invasion, or perirenal invasion.

RBX-1 expression is closely associated with a highly important prognostic factor in RCC-Fuhrman grade-and it shows promise as a prognostic marker. Further studies are required to reveal the importance of RBX-1 in RCC prognosis and treatment.

Urologic oncology. 2019 Oct 22 [Epub ahead of print]

Emre Altintas, Mehmet Kaynar, Z Esin Celik, Murat Celik, Ozcan Kilic, Murat Akand, Serdar Goktas

Akcakale State Hospital, Department of Urology, Sanlıurfa, Turkey. Electronic address: ., Selcuk University, School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Konya, Turkey., Selcuk University, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Konya, Turkey., Kars Harakani State Hospital, Department of Pathology, Kars, Turkey.