The Clinical Significance of STAT3 and STAT5 Activation in Renal Cell Carcinoma / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cytokines, hormones and growth factors use signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways to control various biological responses, including development, differentiation, cell proliferation and survival. STAT3 and 5 help promote cell cycle progression and cellular transformation and prevent apoptosis. In this research, the presence of STAT3 and STAT5 activation and their association with pathological features and clinical outcome in renal cell carcinoma cases were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry with rabbit polyclonal anti-STAT3 and STAT5 antibodies, forty-eight paraffin-embedded renal cell carcinoma specimens were examined for the activation status of STAT3 and STAT5. Cells of which 10% or more were left with a dark brown stains in the nucleus were regarded as positive tumor cells. The activation status of STAT3 and STAT5 were compared with the clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: Significant associations of STAT3 activation with tumor size, T-stage, distant metastases and low survival rate were observed (p<0.05); and in STAT5, significant associations with distant metastases and low survival rate were observed (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study strongly suggest that the activation of STAT3 and STAT5 contribute to the development and progression of the renal cell carcinoma.