Expression of OPN protein and p65 NF-x3ba;B subunit was analyzed immunohistochemically in 87 CCRCC samples, and compared mutually and with apoptotic index. Expression of OPN mRNA was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and compared with OPN and NF-x3ba;B protein expression in 22 CCRCC samples.
Statistical analysis showed an association of p65 NF-x3ba;B with OPN mRNA (p = 0.015) and protein (p x3c; 0.001). Also, we found an inverse relationship of OPN with NF-x3ba;B protein expression and apoptotic activity of tumor cells (p = 0.006 and p = 0.022, respectively). Our results indicate that p65 NF-x3ba;B signaling pathway may be involved in OPN-mediated CCRCC progression, partly by protecting tumor cells from apoptosis. Therefore, both molecules can constitute potential targets for therapeutic intervention in CCRCC.