Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E staining as a clinical marker in pediatric neuroblastoma.

OBJECTIVES: Neuroblastoma (NBL) has several well-established prognostic factors. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (4E) has shown promise as a prognostic marker in other cancers. We hypothesize that a correlation exists between 4E staining and NBL clinical outcome.
METHODS: Eleven adrenal NBL patient charts were reviewed for data, including age, stage, MYCN amplification, Shimada classification, and mortality. These patients' surgical specimens were stained with 4E antibody and scored for staining density. 4E expression, quantified by staining density, was compared to clinical data.
CONCLUSION: 4E staining significantly correlates with age at diagnosis. The remaining prognostic factors lack statistically significant correlation. Increasing sample size may further establish statistically significant correlations. 4E could become an additional prognostic factor of NBL.