Introduction: No druggable targets and prognostic factors are currently available for retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS) due to very limited understanding of its molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis. This study aims to decipher expression profiling and prognostic value of aspartate-β-hydroxylase (ASPH), an activator of Notch signaling pathway, in RPLS.
Methods: Totally 138 patients with RPLS who received resection were recruited in this retrospective study. Immunohistochemistry was performed to decipher expression profiling of ASPH in archived specimens. Prognostic value of ASPH was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier plot and Cox proportional hazards model. Chi-square test was used to compare counting data.
Results: The overall positive rate of ASPH expression in RPLS was 90.6%. Well-differentiated liposarcoma had a similar positive rate to dedifferentiated liposarcoma (90.2% vs. 91.1%). A high level of ASPH expression correlated with reduced postoperative recurrence-free survival rate and overall survival rate (P<0.05).
Conclusions: ASPH is an independent predictor for clinical outcome of patients with RPLS. A high level of ASPH expression confers poor post-operational prognosis.