RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the most common renal malignancies and requires reliable biomarkers for optimum diagnosis and prognosis. Copines are a family of calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins that were reported to be associated with various cancers. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of Copines 1 and 3 in RCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Copines 1 and 3 bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were performed on patients with RCC. RESULTS: The findings revealed significant association between Copine 1 expression and the patients' age, nuclear grade, and tumor stage. Bioinformatics analysis showed a similar trend for the mRNA expression of CPNE1, the gene that encodes Copine 1. Interestingly, results revealed a positive association between Copine 1 and both EphA and Ki-67 expression levels. Noteworthy, there was no significant association between Copine 3 expression and any parameters. CONCLUSION: Copine 1 may be used as an independent biomarker or in combination with both EphA2 and Ki-67 to predict disease outcome.