Defining a New Prognostic index for Stage I Non-seminomatous Germ Cell Tumors using CXCL12 Expression and Proportion of Embryonal Carcinoma

摘要

PurposeUp to 50% of patients diagnosed with stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) harbor occult metastases. Patients are managed by surveillance with chemotherapy at relapse or adjuvant treatment up-front. Late toxicities from chemotherapy are increasingly recognised. Based on a potential biological role in germ cells/tumors and pilot data, our aim was to evaluate tumor expression of the chemokine CXCL12 alongside previously proposed markers as clinically useful biomarkers of relapse.