Elevated YB-1 expression is a new unfavorable prognostic factor in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

BACKGROUND Y-Box-binding protein-1 (YB-1) acts as a transcription factor for multiple genes and is linked to DNA replication and repair, cell proliferation and resistance to cytostatic drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS The prognostic value of YB-1 expression in primarily untreated malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) was examined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Expression of YB-1 was detected in 48 out of 56 NHLs, and the immunohistochemical reaction was localized exclusively in the cytoplasm. Expression of YB-1 did not correlate with clinicopathological variables. Patients with higher YB-1 expression had shorter progression-free survival during the entire period of observation (p=0.0434), as well as in the course of 30 months' observation (p=0.0253). Additionally, in the course of 50 months' observation, patients with higher expression of YB-1 demonstrated a shorter overall survival time (p=0.0383) and a shorter progression-free survival (p=0.0309). CONCLUSION Elevated YB-1 expression may represent a new unfavorable prognostic factor.