Prognostic significance of ezrin expression in pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

BACKGROUND

Newly defined pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma represents a pleomorphic sarcoma which shows no definable line of differentiation. In this study, the survival and validity of known prognostic factors for patients with pleomorphic MFH, with the possibility of ezrin expression as a new prognostic factor were investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients without metastasis at presentation were analyzed. Immunohistochemical analysis with anti-ezrin antibody was performed using tissue microarray.

RESULTS

The overall, metastasis-free, and local recurrence-free survival rates were 59%, 57%, 52% at 5 years, respectively. Uni- and multivariate analyses revealed that truncal location and ezrin positivity had negative effects on overall and metastasis-free survival. The independent factors of local recurrence-free survival were narrow surgical margin, truncal location and female gender.

CONCLUSION

Ezrin expression was an independent predictor of distant metastasis in pleomorphic MFH. Thus, ezrin seems to provide additional prognostic information and may be a novel target for the development of new adjuvant therapies.