Expression of IL-13Rα2 and FUS in glioma: clinicopathological and prognostic correlation.

Abstract

Abstract Background IL-13Rα2 is one of the most widely studied tumor-associated antigens in glioma research. Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a DNA/RNA binding protein that is dysfunctional in various malignant tumors. However, the expression of IL-13Rα2 and FUS, their relationship with clinicopathological parameters and their prognostic value in glioma remain unclear. Methods In the present study, the expression of IL-13Rα2 and FUS was measured in a glioma tissue array by immunohistochemistry. Pearson’s X2 test was used to determine the correlation between immunohistochemical expressions and clinicopathological parameters. Pearson’s or Spearman correlation test was used to determine the association between these two proteins expression. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to investigate the effect of these proteins on prognosis. Results The expressions of IL-13Rα2 was significantly higher in high-grade gliomas (HGG) than in low-grade gliomas (LGG) (p=0.000). FUS location was associated with age and Ki-67 expression, whereas IL-13Rα2 expression demonstrated no significant correlation with clinicopathological parameters. Moreover, a positive relationship was found between nuclear and cytoplasmic co-localization FUS and IL-13Rα2 expression (p=0.0054; r=0.3736). Kaplan‒Meier analysis revealed that patients with IL-13Rα2 had worst overall survival (OS) (p=0.0009) compared to other biomarkers. In HGG, IL-13Rα2 combined with nuclear and cytoplasmic co-localization of FUS was associated with even worse OS (p=0.0415). Conclusion The co-expression of IL-13Rα2 with nuclear and cytoplasmic FUS may serve as a reliable prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in glioma.