PV-1: a novel molecular prognostic marker of distant metastases in various solid tumors

EMBO Mol Med. 2025 Sep;17(9):2215-2232. doi: 10.1038/s44321-025-00277-5. Epub 2025 Jul 21.

Abstract

Identification of biomarkers for the hematogenous spreading of cancer cells is of paramount prognostic and therapeutic value. We showed that Plasmalemma Vesicle Associated Protein-1 (PV-1) serves as a marker of increased blood vessel permeability and is an independent predictor of colorectal cancer dissemination. This study investigates whether PV-1 can also act as a prognostic marker for distant metastases in other solid tumors. We analyzed samples from 134 patients: 30 luminal breast cancer (BC), 52 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and obtained preliminary data from 52 soft tissue sarcomas (STS). A higher frequency of PV-1+ endothelial cells was significantly associated with metastatic progression in luminal BC and ccRCC. Moreover, the frequency of PV-1+ cells emerged as a significant prognostic factor for metastasis-free survival in both luminal BC and ccRCC. Further research is needed to validate PV-1's prognostic utility, as including it at diagnosis may change the management of these patients and should allow stratification for more aggressive therapies or for closer follow-ups to promptly intervene in case of metastases development.

Keywords: Biomarker; Endothelial Permeability; Metastasis-free Survival; PV-1 (PLVAP); Solid Tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / analysis
  • Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins* / analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis* / diagnosis
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Membrane Proteins