Increased survivin mRNA in malignant pleural effusion is significantly correlated with survival.

OBJECTIVE The sensitivity of cytologic examination of pleural effusions is variable and not predictive of prognosis. Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis that may be a novel diagnostic/prognostic marker of cancers. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of measuring survivin mRNA levels in pleural effusions. METHODS Eighty-eight consecutive pleural effusion samples were examined for both cytology and survivin mRNA level. The accuracy of diagnosis and the correlation between survivin mRNA level and survival in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) were determined. Pleural effusions were divided into three groups: Group I, malignancy-associated (n = 44); Group II, inflammatory (n = 27); and Group III, transudative (n = 17). RESULTS Survivin mRNA levels in Group I (1.03 +/- 0.61, range 0-2.96) were significantly higher than those in Groups II (0.45 +/- 0.69, range 0-3.30) and III (0.08 +/- 0.22, range 0-0.71) (P < 0.001). Survivin mRNA level was significantly higher in MPE than in non-MPE. The cut-off value for survivin mRNA levels in pleural effusions was 0.074 for the diagnosis of malignancies, with sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 96%, 45%, 45% and 96%, respectively. Survivin mRNA level in pleural effusions of cancer patients significantly correlated with poor survival. CONCLUSIONS Survivin mRNA level is significantly higher in MPEs. Over-expression of survivin mRNA correlates with poor prognosis in cancer patients.