VHL gene expression and its prognostic value in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Objective To examine the expression of von Hippel-Lindau(VHL) gene in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma(CCRCC) and assessed the association of its expression with Fuhrman grade, pTNM stage and prognostic value. Methods A retrospective analysis of 58 patients received radical or partial nephrectomy in Jinshan hospital between 1989 and 2000. Immunohistochemical tests were used by the Envision method using a monoclonal mouse antibody( Ig33). Staining characteristics were compared with the clinicopathological results. Results Of the 58 primary tumour specimens, immunohistochemistry showed that 33 tumours (56.9%) expressed VHL which localized in the cytoplasm. Statistical analysis showed that VHL expression was significantly correlated with the Fuhrman grade( P 0.001) but not with pTNM stage( P 0.05). The prognosis for patients with CCRCC who were VHL positive was worse than those VHL negative ( P 0.001). Conclusion VHL may play a role in the progression of CCRCC, and the analysis of VHL expression may provide useful prognostic information.