Platelet-Derived Growth Factors in Non-GIST Soft-Tissue Sarcomas Identify a Subgroup of Patients with Wide Resection Margins and Poor Disease-Specific Survival

Background. Optimal treatment of nongastrointestinal stromal tumor soft-tissue sarcomas (non-GIST STSs) is resection with wide margins. This study investigates the prognostic impact of the angiogenesis-associated platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors (PDGFRs) in non-GIST STS patients with wide and nonwide resection margins. Method. Tumor samples and clinical data from 249 patients with non-GIST STS were obtained, and tissue microarrays were constructed for each specimen. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of PDGF-A, -B, -C, and -D and PDGFR-α and -β. Results. In the multivariate analysis of patients with wide resection margins, high expression of PDGF-B (P = .013, HR = 2.954, and 95% CI = 1.255–6.956) and the coexpression of PDGF-B and PDGFR-α (overall; P = .016, high-low/low-high; P = .051, HR = 2.678, 95% CI = 0.996–7.200, high/high; P = .004, HR = 3.930, 95% CI = 1.542–10.015) were independent negative prognostic markers for disease-specific survival. Conclusion. PDGF-B and the coexpression of PDGF-B and PDGFR-α are strong and independent prognostic factors in non-GIST STSs with wide resection margins.