ALK is related to poor survival in neuroblastoma patients. We investigated the prognostic relevance of
ALK mRNA expression and the relationship with ALK immunohistochemical expression, histological subtype and
ALK aberrations. Whole transcriptome sequencing data were available from 54 patients. Overall survival (OS) and
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ALK is related to poor survival in neuroblastoma patients. We investigated the prognostic relevance of
ALK mRNA expression and the relationship with ALK immunohistochemical expression, histological subtype and
ALK aberrations. Whole transcriptome sequencing data were available from 54 patients. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were estimated with Kaplan–Meier’s methodology. ALK protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
ALK aberrations were detected using whole exome sequencing, single nucleotide polymorphism array, next generation sequencing and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization. OS was 74.8% and EFS was 60%.
ALK mRNA expression was not associated with OS (HR 1.127, 95% CI (0.812–1.854),
p = 0.331) and adjusted EFS (HR 1.134, 95% CI (0.783–1.644),
p = 0.505), but was associated with histological subtype (OR 1.914, 95% CI (1.083–3.382),
p = 0.025) and ALK protein expression (negative versus weak: OR 2.829, 95% CI (1.290–6.204),
p = 0.009) (negative versus moderate/strong: OR 2.934, 95% CI (0.889–9.679),
p = 0.077).
ALK mutated tumors had significantly higher
ALK mRNA expression than non-mutated tumors (
p < 0.001).
MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas have higher
MYCN mRNA expression (
p ≤ 0.001), but not
ALK mRNA expression (
p = 0.553).
ALK mRNA expression is higher in
ALK mutated neuroblastomas and is associated with poorer differentiation degree and higher protein expression.
ALK mRNA expression is not significantly associated with OS and EFS.
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