Stepwise multivariate analysis showed that SPF (p = 0.001) was the only independent prognostic factor for NED survival; grading (p = 0.022), age (p = 0.003) and SPF (p = 0.007) for freedom from distant metastases; SPF (p = 0.0039), grading (p = 0.0956) and method of surgical treatment (p = 0.0715) for loco-regional recurrences.
The median %SPF was significantly reduced in patients with diploid tumours compared with aneuploid tumours (p < 0.0001), but there were no significant differences in %SPF between tumours associated with or without metastatic disease.
This strategy for restoration of class I expression by transfection of TAP genes is relevant for tumor rejection and/or abrogation of metastases formation.