SOD2 immunoexpression predicts lymph node metastasis in penile cancer.
BACKGROUND
Superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) is considered one of the most important antioxidant enzymes that regulate cellular redox state in normal and tumorigenic cells. Overexpression of this enzyme in lung, gastric, colorectal, breast cancer and cervical cancer malignant tumors has been observed. Its relationship with inguinal lymph node metastasis in penile cancer is unknown.


METHODS
SOD2 protein expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry in 125 usual type squamous cell carcinomas of the penis from a Brazilian cancer center. The casuistic has been characterized by means of descriptive statistics. An exploratory logistic regression has been proposed to evaluate the independent predictive factors of lymph node metastasis.


RESULTS
SOD2 expression in more than 50% of cells was observed in 44.8% of primary penile carcinomas of the usual type. This expression pattern was associated with lymph node metastasis both in the uni and multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that SOD2 expression predicts regional lymph node metastasis. The potential clinical implication of this observation warrants further studies.
Santa Casa de São Paulo, INCT-HPV at Santa Casa Research Institute, School of Medicine, Rua Marquês de Itú, 381, 01223-001 São Paulo, Brazil.
Lara
L
Termini
Teaching and Research Institute, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Vilela, 1331, 14784-006 Barretos, Brazil ; Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374 - Ed. Biomédicas II, Cidade Universitária, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil.
José H
JH
Fregnani
Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374 - Ed. Biomédicas II, Cidade Universitária, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil.
Enrique
E
Boccardo
Pelvic Surgery Department, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Prof. Antônio Prudente 211, 01509-010 São Paulo, Brazil.
Walter H
WH
da Costa
Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM) 14, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246-903 São Paulo, Brazil ; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal ; Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Pio XII Foundation, Barretos, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, 14784-400 Barretos, Brazil.
Adhemar
A
Longatto-Filho
Santa Casa de São Paulo, INCT-HPV at Santa Casa Research Institute, School of Medicine, Rua Marquês de Itú, 381, 01223-001 São Paulo, Brazil.
Maria A
MA
Andreoli
Santa Casa de São Paulo, INCT-HPV at Santa Casa Research Institute, School of Medicine, Rua Marquês de Itú, 381, 01223-001 São Paulo, Brazil.
Maria C
MC
Costa
Pelvic Surgery Department, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Prof. Antônio Prudente 211, 01509-010 São Paulo, Brazil.
Ademar
A
Lopes
Department of Anatomic Pathology, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Prof. Antônio Prudente 109, 01509-900 São Paulo, Brazil.
Isabela W
IW
da Cunha
Department of Anatomic Pathology, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Prof. Antônio Prudente 109, 01509-900 São Paulo, Brazil.
Fernando A
FA
Soares
Santa Casa de São Paulo, INCT-HPV at Santa Casa Research Institute, School of Medicine, Rua Marquês de Itú, 381, 01223-001 São Paulo, Brazil ; Department of Radiology and Oncology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo and Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo, ICESP, Av Dr Arnaldo 250, 01246-000 São Paulo, Brazil.
Luisa L
LL
Villa
Pelvic Surgery Department, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Prof. Antônio Prudente 211, 01509-010 São Paulo, Brazil.
Gustavo C
GC
Guimarães
Lymph node metastasis; Penile cancer; Superoxide Dismutase-2