Loss of CDC14B expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Meta-analysis of microarray data sets

Objectives: To discover significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) that might be unidentified by single microarray analysis. Methods: The effect sizes of five ccRCC microarray data sets were combined using a random-effects model. The most downregulated gene was validated in paired 80 ccRCC tissues by immunohistochemistry. Results: CDC14B was the most downregulated gene among 1,761 DEGs. CDC14B was strongly expressed in the apical proximal tubules in the nonneoplastic tissues, while it was completely absent in 10 (12.5%) of 80 or downregulated in 70 (87.5%) of 80 ccRCC cases. The complete loss of CDC14B correlated with high T stage (P = .038), advanced TNM stage (P = .027), tumor recurrence (P = .038), and shorter recurrence-free survival (P = .046) compared with the partial loss of CDC14B. Conclusions: Microarray meta-analysis is a useful tool for pathologists. CDC14B expression is downregulated in ccRCC, suggesting its role in renal carcinogenesis.