The Diagnostic Value of Midkine Production in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Its precise causes are unknown. These tumors specifically metastatic RCC show poor response to chemotherapy. Incorporation of novel factors that improve the prediction of RCC management and prognosis is required. Midkine is a growth factor that enhances tumor progression and might be implicated in the development of different types of cancers. Our preliminary results obtained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) demonstrated that MK is produced by tumor cells in biopsies of RCC that are of high grade (grade II/IV). This suggests that MK can be a valuable tool for the assessment of RCC progression. We hypothesize that MK production is associated with the higher grades and stage of RCC and represents a novel marker of disease progression. In this study, we aim to investigate the production and expression of MK in RCC and its association with the disease grade, stage and outcome. This will be done by: 1. Investigating the production of MK in RCC patients. 2. Identifying the cells that are producing MK in RCC patients. 3. Identifying the association between MK production and the stage and grade of RCC. 4. Exploring the association of MK production with RCC associated parameters. The findings from this study may help identify a novel marker (MK) of RCC progression. Understanding the association of MK with RCC pathogenesis might improve the management of the disease.