Assessment of Patterns of Expression of VEGF, Matrix Metalloproteinase 2, 9 Activity, E-Cadherin Regulation and CA-9 Activity as Predictors of Aggressive Renal Cell Carcinoma Behavior
Assessment of Patterns of Expression of VEGF, Matrix Metalloproteinase 2, 9 Activity, E-Cadherin Regulation and CA-9 Activity as Predictors of Aggressive Renal Cell Carcinoma Behavior
RATIONALE: Studying samples of tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.
PURPOSE: This research study is looking at tumor tissue samples from patients who have undergone surgery for localized kidney cancer.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: Previously collected tumor tissue samples are examined by immunohistochemistry for levels of expression of five different factors related to aggressive tumor behavior (i.e., VEGF expression, E-cadherin regulation, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 activity, and carbonic anhydrase 9 activity). Samples are compared to positive tissue controls (i.e., VEGF- tonsil; E- cadherin-normal breast or endometrium; MMP2- placenta) and a negative control (i.e., isotype matched normal serum) to identify consistent patterns of expression/activity of these factors. Levels of expression are quantified as 5-level scores (0 to 4 scale) and differences between any two areas of a tumor are analyzed.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Tumor tissue samples from patients who recently underwent nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: