title: Glutathione S-transferase expression in renal cell carcinoma: a new marker of differentiation.
abstract: Expression of two GST isoenzymes (alpha and pi) was assessed immunohistochemically in 46 cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) for which clinical follow-up was available. In the normal kidney GST alpha stained most intensely in the proximal convoluted tubules and GST pi in distal tubules/collecting ducts. All 46 tumors studied stained positively for GST alpha with most demonstrating strong cytoplasmic and nuclear reactivity. GST pi immunostaining was positive in 35/46 cases (76%). Five-year survival for patients with GST pi positive tumors was 88% versus 50% for those with GST pi negative tumors (P < 0.008). Loss of GST mRNA has been reported in RCC and it has been suggested that this may represent a dedifferentiation program in RCC. These data support this hypothesis and further indicate a potential value for GST pi as a prognostic indicator in RCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Victoria Hospital, London Regional Cancer Center, Canada.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Grignon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdel-Malak
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Mertens
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Sakr
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Shepherd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D007685:Kidney Tubules, Collecting / Q000201:enzymology; D007686:Kidney Tubules, Distal / Q000201:enzymology; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D005982:Glutathione Transferase