Transition of ANXA10 expression is a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker in upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Introduction Little is known about the diagnostic and prognostic markers of upper urinary tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) because of its rarity. ANXA10, a calcium dependent phospholipid binding protein, is differentially expressed in several cancers. It has been reported that ANXA10 expression is a urinary mRNA biomarker for detection of bladder urothelial cancer (BUC), and loss of ANXA10 expression is associated with BUC progression. To clarify the significance of ANXA10 in UTUC, we studied ANXA10 expression with immunohistochemistry (IHC). Methods We analyzed ANXA10 by IHC in 117 respective cases of UTUC treated by radical nephroureterectomy without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. ANXA10 positivity (ANXA10+) was defined as >10 % of nuclear staining. Results ANXA10 expression was weak in normal urothelium of upper tract and was positive in 39/117 (33%) of UTUC. ANXA10+ was more frequently in tumors with pure UC (36%, p Conclusions ANXA10 expression increases during carcinogenesis, and is observed more frequently in papillary UC with lower grade and stage. However, its expression decreases during cancer progression. Transition of ANXA10 expression in UTUC mimicking BC is clinically useful for decision-making.