Collagen, type xi, alpha 1 is expressed in neoplastic cells with sarcomatoid transformation in renal cell carcinoma

Background Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the kidney. Sarcomatoid differentiation can occur in all others histologic subtypes, and it is associated with a significant poor prognosis and grade 4 in Fuhrman scoring. The recent use of core needle biopsies (CNB) has hindered the correct diagnosis of RCC sarcomatoid differentiation. Our hypothesis is that the presence of COL11A1 in the tumor can be a reliable sarcomatoid differentiation predictor, as it plays an important role in ephitelial-mesenchymal transition program. Methods Immunohistochemistry of proCOL11A1 was performed (as previously described) in samples of 122 renal cell carcinomas of different histological subtypes. Results Our results showed a significant difference ( p Conclusion COL11A1 expression renal cell carcinoma may predict sarcomatoid differentiation even in samples with low numbers of cells, as may occur in a CNB, so it can be beneficial to clinicians in order to modify treatment options and follow-up protocols.