AIM: To study the expressions and clinical significance of PDCD4 and B7-H4 in optic gliomas in children.

METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expressions of PDCD4 and B7-H4 in specimens from 52 optic gliomas in children cases, and analyzed the correlation of PDCD4 and B7-H4 expression with clinicopathological factors children optic gliomas.

RESULTS: PDCD4 expression reduced in optic glioma tissue: PDCD4 expression rate in 52 cases of optic glioma tissues decreasing was correlated with tumor malignancy increase(P<0.01); B7-H4 positive expression increased in optic glioma tissue: B7-H4 expression rate in 52 cases of optic glioma tissues increasing was correlated with tumor malignancy increase(P<0.01); PDCD4 expression was negatively correlated with B7-H4 expression in optic gliomas(P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Expressions of PDCD4 and B7-H4 may be clinically relevant to tumor malignancy of optic gliomas in children and prevention of metastasis and prediction of prognosis.