Survivin is a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family that interferes with post-mitochondrial events including activation of caspases. The association of survivin expression with tumor progression, but not overall patient survival, has been observed in a variety of malignancies including renal cell carcinoma, ovary carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate carcinoma and breast carcinoma. However, the link between a poor prognosis and nuclear expression of Survivin in tumors is controversial. A literature review of 19 publications that measured nuclear survivin in different cancer types showed the following: 9 studies concluded that nuclear survivin was associated with an unfavorable prognosis, whereas 5 showed a favorable prognosis.
Survivin is a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family that interferes with post-mitochondrial events including activation of caspases. The association of survivin expression with tumor progression, but not overall patient survival, has been observed in a variety of malignancies including renal cell carcinoma, ovary carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate carcinoma and breast carcinoma. However, the link between a poor prognosis and nuclear expression of Survivin in tumors is controversial. A literature review of 19 publications that measured nuclear survivin in different cancer types showed the following: 9 studies concluded that nuclear survivin was associated with an unfavorable prognosis, whereas 5 showed a favorable prognosis.