[Clinicopathological significance of Sox17 and β-catenin protein of Wnt in oligodendroglioma].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of Sox17 and β-catenin proteins in oligodendroglioma, and its clinical significance.

METHODS

One hundred cases of oligodendroglioma of different grades and 10 cases of surrounding benign tissue from First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 2003 to 2013 were assessed by immunohistochemistry for Sox17 and β-catenin protein expression. The clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome of patients with oligodendroglioma were evaluated by Kaplan-Meien and Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Sox17 was expressed in 10/10, 82% (41/50) and 62% (31/50) of normal control, oligodendroglioma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, respectively. β-catenin was expressed in 2/10, 22% (11/50), and 52% (26/50) of normal control, oligodendroglioma and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, respectively. The differences of Sox17 and β-catenin expression between normal control and different types of oligodendroglioma were statistically significant. Univariate analysis showed that the expression of Sox17 protein (P = 0.000), β-catenin protein (P = 0.033), tumor position (P = 0.001), radiotherapy (P = 0.077), and chemotherapy (P = 0.000) were significant prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Oligodendrogliomas with expression of Sox17 protein, but not β-catenin, have better prognosis. Evaluation of Sox17 and β-catenin protein expression is important for accurate pathological diagnosis, prognostication and guiding treatment.