Expression of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Alpha and Beta Receptors in Primary Tumor Cells of Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

Objective: This study aimed to assess the expression of platelet-derived growth factor
receptors alpha and beta (PDGFR!/") in primary tumor cells of patients with renal cell
carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: Platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta expression was
analyzed in RCC specimens from 65 RCC patients (pT1a-T4NanyMany) using immunohis-
tochemistry. Expression levels were quantified using the semi-quantitative H-score
(HS) method, and correlations between PDGFR!/" expression and tumor characteris-
tics were evaluated. The impact of PDGFR!/" expression on patient survival was also
examined.

Results: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha was expressed in the cytoplasm
and membrane of 58.5% of primary RCC cells, with an HS of 62.9 ± 8.4, significantly
higher than PDGFR" expression (44.6%; 26.6 ± 5.3; P > .05). Platelet-derived growth
factor receptor alpha expression correlated with tumor grade (r = 0.471; P < .0001) and
the pN+ category (r = 0.280; P = .024). Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta
expression correlated with tumor grade (r = 0.286; P = .021), venous tumor thrombosis
(r = 0.263; P = .034), M+ category (r = 0.305; P = .014), and adrenal metastases (r = 0.306;
P = .041). Neither PDGFR! nor PDGFR" expression levels influenced patient survival.

Conclusion: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha was more highly expressed
in RCC cells compared to PDGFR". Overexpression of PDGFR!/" was associated with
higher tumor grade and advanced RCC stages, though it did not affect patient survival.

Cite this article as: Volkova M, Khochenkov D, Olshanskaya A, et!al. Expression of platelet-derived growth factor alpha and beta receptors in primary tumor cells of patients with renal cell carcinoma. Urol Res
Pract. 2025;51(1):7-11.