title: B7-H3 is a new cancer-specific endothelial marker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to validate B7-H3 as a new cancer-specific endothelial marker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  B7-H3 expression patterns were compared between cancer and paired adjacent normal renal parenchyma by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded specimens from 200 consecutive patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma from January to December 2010. Four corpus luteum specimens were used as physiologic angiogenesis controls. B7-H3 messenger (m)RNA levels representing circulating endothelial cells were analyzed in 24 peripheral blood samples using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Collection and processing of tissue and peripheral blood samples was performed in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cancer cell-specific expression of B7-H3 was detected in 19% of clear cell renal cell carcinoma specimens, and tumor vasculature B7-H3 expression was confirmed in 98% (196) of cases. A diffuse pattern of vascular B7-H3 expression was associated with multiple adverse clinical and pathologic features (P<0.001). B7-H3 expression was not detected in paired adjacent normal renal parenchyma or vessels, or in luteal blood vessels. The B7-H3 mRNA level of circulating endothelial cells in peripheral blood was significantly higher in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study indicates that B7-H3 is a cancer-specific endothelial marker of potential importance for the development of tumor-specific, vascular-targeted therapies, and is a prognostic marker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiaojian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Hailiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dingwei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Guohai
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shi
keywords: B7-H3; biomarkers; clear cell renal cell carcinoma; endothelial cell; kidney