Molecular Sub-Classification of Renal Epithelial Tumors Using Meta-Analysis of Gene Expression Microarrays
2011

Molecular Sub-Classification of Renal Epithelial Tumors Using Gene Expression Microarrays

Sample size: 149 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Sanford Thomas, Chung Paul H., Reinish Ariel, Valera Vladimir, Srinivasan Ramaprasad, Linehan W. Marston, Bratslavsky Gennady

Primary Institution: Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute

Hypothesis

To evaluate the accuracy of the sub-classification of renal cortical neoplasms using molecular signatures.

Conclusion

The study developed an algorithm that accurately sub-classified renal neoplasms on a molecular level with 94% accuracy across multiple independent datasets.

Supporting Evidence

  • The algorithm correctly classified 68 of the 72 samples (94%).
  • Correct classification rates were 95% for clear cell, 100% for papillary, 89% for chromophobe, and 95% for oncocytomas.

Takeaway

Researchers created a way to tell different types of kidney tumors apart using special tests on their genes, and it worked really well most of the time.

Methodology

The study used meta-analysis of gene expression microarray data to create predictive signatures for renal neoplasms.

Potential Biases

The lack of centralized pathology review may introduce variability, but it also enhances generalizability.

Limitations

Not all histologic subtypes of renal tumors were included, and the study did not analyze normal renal parenchyma.

Participant Demographics

The study included samples from multiple institutions in two countries.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021260

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