Introduction

We evaluated the prognostic value of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), platelet-derived growth factor-β (PDGF-β), and its receptors (PDGFR-β) for papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC).

Methods

A total of 145 patients, who were confirmed to have pRCC, were analyzed. Expression levels of molecular markers were assessed by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

The median follow-up period for all subjects was 52.0 (interquartile range, 34.5-90.5) months. Among the cohort of 145 patients, high VEGF expression was observed in 100 (69.0%) patients, whereas high expression of VEGFR2, PDGF-β, and PDGFR-β was observed in 64 (44.1%), 42 (29.0%), and 30 (20.7%) patients, respectively. Only individuals with high VEGFR2 expression exhibited improved 10-year recurrence-free survival (85.3 vs. 58.1%; p=0.005) and cancer-specific survival (86.4 vs. 70.1%; p=0.014) rates compared to individuals who exhibited low expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that high VEGFR2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence (HR, 0.326; p=0.006) and cancer-specific mortality (HR, 0.334; p=0.046). During follow-up, 17 patients received targeted drug therapy. Patients with high VEGFR2 expression showed a better initial response (PR, 40%; SD, 20%; PD, 40%) than patients with low expression did (PR, 0%; SD, 58.3%; PD, 41.7%; p=0.052).

Conclusions

pRCC with high VEGFR2 expression correlates with a better initial response to targeted drug therapy and a better prognostic outcome.

Funding

None