Significantly greater expression of ER, PR, and ECAD in advanced-stage low-grade ovarian serous carcinoma as revealed by immunohistochemical analysis.

Abstract

A 2-tier system that classifies ovarian serous carcinoma (OSC) as low grade or high grade is gaining acceptance. Women with low-grade OSC generally have higher 5-year survival rates than do women with high-grade OSC. We examined the expression of various markers to further understand the molecular differences between low-grade and high-grade OSCs: the potential therapeutic targets or prognostic markers Her-2/neu, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor (PR); the metastasis-associated markers cyclin D1 (BCL1), E-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, and MMP-9; and the cell proliferation-associated markers BCL1, Ki-67 antigen (Ki-67), and p53. For this immunohistochemical analysis, we used paraffin-embedded specimens from 47 patients with advanced-stage low-grade OSC and from 49 patients with advanced-stage high-grade OSC. Our results showed that low-grade tumors expressed significantly higher levels of estrogen receptor, PR, and E-cadherin than did high-grade tumors, suggesting the involvement of gonadal steroid hormones, especially in the pathogenesis of low-grade OSC; the PR positivity was also observed in the stromal component of these low-grade tumors. On the other hand, high-grade tumors trended toward increased expression of MMP-9, BCL1, p53, and Ki-67, and robust MMP-9 positivity was observed in the stromal component of these high-grade tumors. These differences may lead to the development of different therapeutic strategies for women with either the low-grade or the high-grade form of OSC.

• Authors: Kwong-Kwok Wong, Karen H Lu, Anais Malpica, Diane C Bodurka, Hyun S Shvartsman, Rosemarie E Schmandt, Angela D Thornton, Michael T Deavers, Elvio G Silva, David M Gershenson
• Journal: International journal of gynecological pathology : official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists (Int J Gynecol Pathol) Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pg. 404-9 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 0277-1691 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17885490 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Cadherins
• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Ki-67 Antigen
• PDRG1 protein, human
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Receptors, Progesterone
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Cadherins (biosynthesis)
• Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous (metabolism, pathology)
• DNA-Binding Proteins (biosynthesis)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Ki-67 Antigen (biosynthesis)
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (biosynthesis)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Ovarian Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Prognosis
• Receptors, Estrogen (biosynthesis)
• Receptors, Progesterone (biosynthesis)