Study of the expression of Aurora kinases in renal cell carcinoma

Objectives. The Aurora kinase family plays a crucial role in the regulation of mitosis. Overexpression of Aurora A and B has been reported in many malignant tumors. The objective of this study was to analyze the expression of Aurora A and B in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its correlation with usual clinical and pathological parameters. Methods. In a retrospective study, have been studied the tumoral samples of 40 consecutive patients who had been operated between 2003 and 2006 for a renal tumor. RNA was extracted from frozen corresponding tumoral samples. Thirty-one samples were retained based on RNA quality. RT-PCR was done on each of these samples to assess the expression of Aurora A and B genes. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test to compare Aurora A and B levels. Results. Median age was 65 years (35-82). Seven (22%) patients had nodal invasion and eight (26%) had distant metastases. Most of the tumors (74%) were grade 3 or 4. Eighteen patients (58%) had clear cell cancer histology, 12 (39%) had papillary histology, and one a Bellini type tumor. Aurora A overexpression was associated with lymph node invasion (p = 0.001). Aurora B over-expression was associated with both nodal involvement (p = 0.02) and histologic subtype (significantly over-expressed in clear cell tumors; p = 0.001). Conclusions. Aurora A and B were differentially over-expressed in clear cell RCC and primary tumors of patients with lymph node involvement. (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.