Ezrin expression predicts local recurrence and development of metastases in soft tissue sarcomas

Background Ezrin is a cytoskeletal protein involved in tumour growth and invasion. Ezrin expression has been suggested to play a role in metastasis in paediatricosteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Aim To evaluate the prognostic role of ezrin in a large series of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk wall. Methods Ezrin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays from a mixed series of 256 soft tissue sarcomas. The expression patterns were correlated to local recurrence and metastasis as well as to established prognostic factors in soft tissue sarcoma. Results Increased ezrin expression predicted development of metastasis (HR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.8; p = 0.007) and local recurrence, also after adjustment for surgical margin (HR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.3; p = 0.02). Correlations to established prognostic factors showed strong associations between ezrin and necrosis (OR = 3.9, p < 0.0001) and ezrin and growth pattern (OR = 3.1, p = 0.03). Conclusions Ezrin independently predicts development of local recurrences and metastases in soft tissue sarcomas. The possibility of preoperative evaluation makes ezrin a potential marker for identification of high-risk sarcoma patients who would benefit from neoadjuvant therapy.