Platelet-derived growth factors in non-GIST soft-tissue sarcomas identify a subgroup of patients with wide resection margins and poor disease-specific survival

Abstract

Background. Optimal treatment of nongastrointestinal stromal tumor soft-tissue sarcomas (non-GIST STSs) is resection with wide margins. This study investigates the prognostic impact of the angiogenesis-associated platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors (PDGFRs) in non-GIST STS patients with wide and nonwide resection margins. Method. Tumor samples and clinical data from 249 patients with non-GIST STS were obtained, and tissue microarrays were constructed for each specimen. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of PDGF-A, -B, -C, and -D and PDGFR-α and -β. Results. In the multivariate analysis of patients with wide resection margins, high expression of PDGF-B (P=.013, HR = 2.954, and 95 CI = 1.255-6.956) and the coexpression of PDGF-B and PDGFR-α (overall; P=.016, high-low/low-high; P=.051, HR = 2.678, 95 CI = 0.996-7.200, high/high; P=.004, HR = 3.930, 95 CI = 1.542-10.015) were independent negative prognostic markers for disease-specific survival. Conclusion. PDGF-B and the coexpression of PDGF-B and PDGFR-α are strong and independent prognostic factors in non-GIST STSs with wide resection margins. Copyright © 2010 Thomas Karsten Kilvaer et al.