Loss of oestrogen receptor beta, high PCNA and p53 expression and aneuploidy as markers of worse prognosis in ovarian granulosa cell tumours.

Abstract

AIMS:

Ovarian granulosa cell tumour (OGCT) is a sex-cord stromal tumour with a general trend toward late relapse and/or metastasis. However, mortality rate corrected for long-term follow-up shows that about 50% of patients die within 20 years of diagnosis. Classical clinicopathological parameters are unable to predict the biological behaviour of OGCT. The involvement of a recently characterized subtype of oestrogen receptor, ERbeta, in ovarian carcinogenesis has been hypothesized.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

We examined by immunohistochemistry the expression of ERbeta, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 in a selected series of 30 OGCT, to evaluate their role in the prognostic evaluation of this tumour. Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. Results were compared with the DNA-ploidy of the tumours (evaluated by image analysis) and with the follow-up data of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Loss of ERbeta expression, high PCNA expression and aneuploidy, characterized a subgroup of OGCT with a worse outcome. The identification of a high-risk subclass of OGCT may be of primary importance in addressing appropriate therapeutic strategies, offering the chance to prevent relapses and metastases by using adjunctive, specifically targetted, more aggressive therapies.

• Authors: S Staibano, R Franco, E Mezza, P Chieffi, A Sinisi, D Pasquali, M E Errico, C Nappi, F Tremolaterra, P Somma, G Mansueto, G De Rosa
• Journal: Histopathology (Histopathology) Vol. 43 Issue 3 Pg. 254-62 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 0309-0167 [Print] England
• PMID: 12940778 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• DNA, Neoplasm
• Estrogen Receptor beta
• Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aneuploidy
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• DNA, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Estrogen Receptor beta
• Female
• Granulosa Cell Tumor (genetics, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Infant
• Middle Aged
• Ovarian Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• Prognosis
• Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (metabolism)
• Receptors, Estrogen (metabolism)
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (metabolism)