Decreased expression of LASS2 is associated with worse prognosis in meningiomas

Homo sapiens longevity assurance homolog 2 of yeast LAG1 (LASS2) has been indicated to have a critical role in various tumors. In the study, we aimed to evaluate the LASS2 expression level in prognostic significance and compare it with commonly used biomarkers: Ki-67, p53 and progesterone receptor (PR) for patients with meningiomas. Firstly, 50 fresh tissues and 143 paraffin-embedded meningiomas samples were analyzed for LASS2 expression by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Subsequently, LASS2 immunostaining was evaluated for its clinical significance. Furthermore, Correlations of LASS2 expression with common biomarkers were assessed. Both PCR and IHC results showed LASS2 was downregulated in high-grade meningiomas in comparison with that of grade I or normal brain (all P < 0.01). IHC results demonstrated LASS2 intensity distribution (ID) score was significantly correlated with tumor size, brain invasion, tumor recurrence and clinical course (all P < 0.01), whereas no correlation of LASS2 ID score with sex or Simpson grade. Moreover, lower LASS2 ID score was strikingly associated with shorter overall and progression-free survival (P < 0.01). Pearson’s analysis revealed the ID score was significantly reversely associated with Ki-67 and p53 but not with PR. More importantly,multivariate analyses revealed that LASS2 was an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.05). To our knowledge, it is the first time to investigate the expression of LASS2 and identify it as a potential biomarker for prognosis in meningiomas.