The role of claudin-6 in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background. The prognostic value of Claudin-6 (CLDN6) in non clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still unclear. Aim. To evaluate the prognostic impact of CLDN6 expression in a large cohort of chromophobe RCC (chRCC). Material and Methods. Patients who underwent renal surgery due to chRCC were recruited. Clinical data were retrospectively evaluated. Tumor specimens were analyzed for CLDN6 expression by immunohistochemistry. Results. 81 chRCC patients were eligible for analysis, thereof 10 (12.3%) patients were positive for CLDN6. No significant associations were found for CLDN6 expression and clinical attributes in patients with chRCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no differences in overall survival (OS) for patients with CLDN6- compared to CLDN6+ tumors (87.0% versus 62.5%; p=0.174). Conclusion. In chRCC CLDN6 expression is not associated with parameters of aggressiveness or survival. Due to the rare incidence of chRCC further studies with larger cohorts are warranted.