The role of annexins I, II and IV in tumor development, progression and metastasis of human penile squamous cell carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
The outcome of patients with penile squamous cell carcinomas (PSCC) largely depends on occurrence of metastasis. Therefore, prognostic markers indicating the risk for tumor cell spreading would be useful. Since Annexins are potential prognostic markers in a variety of tumors, we immunohistochemically examined the expression of Annexins I, II and IV (ANX AI, ANX AII and ANX AIV) in PSCC.


METHODS
Samples originated from 29 patients subjected to surgical resection of invasive PSCC. Immunohistochemistry was done on paraffin-embedded sections using monoclonal antibodies against ANX AI, ANX AII and ANX AIV. Expression of ANXs was compared with clinical data.


RESULTS
ANX AI expression was found in conventional PSCC and was absent in basaloid and sarcomatoid subtypes. High ANX AI score was significantly associated with higher T stages (P = 0.006). Strong expression in the invasion front of carcinomas was significantly associated with the occurrence of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001). ANX AIV expression was weak in conventional PSCC, while it was strong in basaloid and sarcomatoid subtypes. Strong expression of Annnexin IV in the invasion front also showed a significant association with metastasis (P = 0.019).


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of ANXs was different in histologic subtypes of penile carcinomas. Strong expression of ANX AI and ANX AIV in the invasion front seems to indicate a higher risk of lymph node metastasis.
Protzel
C
C
Department of Urology, University of Rostock, E. Heydemannstr. 6, 18055 Rostock, Germany. chris.protzel@med.uni-rostock.de
Richter
M
M
Poetsch
M
M
Kakies
C
C
Zimmermann
U
U
Woenckhaus
C
C
Klebingat
K J
KJ
Hakenberg
O W
OW
Giebel
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017305:Annexin A1 / Q000502:physiology*; D017306:Annexin A2 / Q000502:physiology*; D017314:Annexin A4 / Q000502:physiology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000502:physiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000503:physiopathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D017305:Annexin A1; D017306:Annexin A2; D017314:Annexin A4; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor