Prognostic significance of pSTAT3 and Survivin expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Background and aim: The activated phosphorylated form of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) up-regulates multiple downstream targets, including Survivin, which is an inhibitor of apoptosis, and has been implicated as an important process in malignant progression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of pSTAT3 and Survivin in diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) for their clinicopathological significance. Methods: Using tissue microarrays constructed from 102 DLBCLs, immunohistochemistry was done for pSTAT3 and Survivin. Results: Immunoreactivity for pSTAT3 and Survivin was seen in 41% and 46% of 102 patients of DLBCL. Patients who expressed pSTAT3 were more likely to have Survivin (p < 0.001) and p53 expressions (p= 0.002). According to the sub-groups of DLBCL, non-germinal center B cell (non-GCB) group was more likely to express pSTAT3 and Survivin. Both the pSTAT3 and Survivin expression were significantly associated with short overall survival by Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank tests in both overall (p= 0.021 and p= 0.002) and non-GCB group of DLBCL (p= 0.023 and p= 0.006). Multivariate analysis confirmed that Survivin was an independent prognostic factor in both overall DLBCL (p= 0.014) and non-GCB group (p= 0.032). Conclusions: pSTAT3 and Survivin expression appear to be important prognostic factors for DLBCL patients.