Expression of Survivin in the FormalinFixed, Paraffin-embedded Specimens of Human Osteosarcoma May Be Used as a Diagnostic Marker

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent malignant bone tumor with a peak incidence in the second and third decades of life. Diagnosis of patients with osteosarcoma is limited to clinico-pathological parameters whereas molecular markers of tumor initiation and promotion have not yet been identified. We aimed to study the expression of the anti-apoptotic survivin gene in osteosarcoma specimens. A total of 35 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens including 25 tumoral and 20 non-tumoral paired-margins were collected. The expression of survivin was evaluated by employing real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Our data showed that survivin is differently expressed in osteosarcoma samples rather than non-tumoral margins. Real-time PCR showed that survivin is up-regulated in osteosarcoma specimens compared to margins (p 0.01). Furthermore, IHC confirmed that the survivin protein is significantly found in malignant parts of paraffin blocks. Our data show that survivin expression is modulated in osteosarcoma and may be considered as a diagnostic marker for further studies.