CD151 expression can predict cancer progression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Yoo S H, Lee K, Chae J Y & Moon K C (2011) Histopathology 58, 191–197 CD151 expression can predict cancer progression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma Aims: CD151 is known to be implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. The aim was to evaluate the expression of CD151 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and to assess its prognostic significance. Methods and results: The expression of CD151 was evaluated in 489 cases of CCRCC by immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity was classified into four categories (minimal, 0–10% positive cells; focal, 10–50% positive cells; diffuse moderate, >50% positive cells with moderate staining intensity; diffuse strong, >50% positive cells with strong staining). To determine the statistical significance of CD151 expression in CCRCC, all cases were divided into two groups based on their CD151 expression level: a CD151-low group (n = 257; minimal and focal) and a CD151-high group (n = 232; diffuse). Expression of CD151 was correlated positively with pT, pN, pM categories, pathological tumour–node–metastasis (pTNM) stage, nuclear grade, tumour size and patient’s age. The CD151-high group had significantly shorter cancer-specific survival (P