Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Patients diagnosed and treated for ovarian tumors from 1990 to 2002 were included. Patient characteristics, histology including histological subtype, tumor stage, grading and follow-up data were available. Serum hCG concentration measurement was performed with ELISA technology, hCG tissue expression determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: HCG-positive sera were found in 26.7% of patients with benign and 67% of patients with malignant ovarian tumors. In addition, significantly higher hCG serum concentrations were observed in patients with malignant compared to benign ovarian tumors (p = 0.000). Ovarian cancer tissue was positive for hCG expression in 68%. We identified significant differences in hCG tissue expression related to tumor grade (p = 0.022) but no differences with regard to the histological subtype. In addition, mucinous ovarian carcinomas showed a significantly increased hCG expression at FIGO stage III compared to stage I (p = 0.018). We also found a positive correlation of hCG expression to LH-R expression, but not to FSH-R expression. There was no significant correlation between tissue hCG expression and overall ovarian cancer patient survival, but subgroup analysis revealed an increased 5-year survival in LH-R positive/FSH-R negative and hCG positive tumors (hCG positive 75.0% vs. hCG negative 50.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Serum human gonadotropin levels differ in patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumors. HCG is often expressed in ovarian cancer tissue with a certain variable relation to grade and stage. HCG expression correlates with LH-R expression in ovarian cancer tissue, which has previously been shown to be of prognostic value. Both, the hormone and its receptor, may therefore serve as targets for new cancer therapies.
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Authors | Miriam Lenhard, Alexandra Tsvilina, Lan Schumacher, Markus Kupka, Nina Ditsch, Doris Mayr, Klaus Friese, Udo Jeschke |
Journal | BMC cancer
(BMC Cancer)
Vol. 12
Pg. 2
(Jan 03 2012)
ISSN: 1471-2407 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 22214378
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Chorionic Gonadotropin
- Neoplasm Proteins
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Chorionic Gonadotropin
(blood, metabolism)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Proteins
(blood, metabolism)
- Ovarian Neoplasms
(metabolism, mortality, pathology)
- Prognosis
- Young Adult
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