Estrone sulfatase activity in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

We sought to identify whether the sulfatase pathway was present in ovarian cancer specimens and then to determine whether a clinical correlation existed between sulfatase activity and survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Enzymatic activity was assessed in advanced ovarian cancer specimens via thin layer chromatography and standardized against total protein. All enzyme activities are reported in pmol/mg protein/30 min. Kaplan Meier curves of progression-free and overall survival were constructed to compare outcomes between patients with low sulfatase activity and high sulfatase activity. Median survival rates were compared using the log-rank test for survival curves. Differences in proportions between patients with low sulfatase activity versus high sulfatase activity were compared with the z-test or chi-square analysis as appropriate.

RESULTS:

37 specimens from patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer were analyzed. Enzymatic activity was detected in all specimens except one. Median progression-free survival was 23.5 months for patients with low sulfatase activity compared to 6.9 months for patients with high sulfatase activity (p=0.008). Median overall survival favored the low sulfatase group (50.8 vs. 30.6 months respectively), though statistical difference was not detected (p=0.16). No other difference in clinical characteristics between patients with high or low sulfatase activity was detected.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sulfatase activity is widely present in ovarian cancer specimens. Increased sulfatase activity is associated with worse progression-free survival in patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer. The sulfatase pathway is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

• Authors: Justin C Chura, Charles H Blomquist, Hyung S Ryu, Peter A Argenta
• Journal: Gynecologic oncology (Gynecol Oncol) Vol. 112 Issue 1 Pg. 205-9 (Jan 2009) ISSN: 1095-6859 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18947862 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Estrogen Receptor alpha
• Estrone
• Testosterone
• Androstenedione
• Estradiol
• 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
• Sulfatases
• estrone sulfatase

Topics

• 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases (metabolism)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Androstenedione (metabolism)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Estradiol (metabolism)
• Estrogen Receptor alpha (metabolism)
• Estrone (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Ovarian Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Sulfatases (metabolism)
• Testosterone (metabolism)