BRCA1 immunohistochemical staining as a prognostic indicator in uterine serous carcinoma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between BRCA1 protein expression, as determined by immunohistochemistry, and clinical outcome in uterine serous carcinoma (USC).

METHODS:

A tissue microarray containing duplicate cores of 73 cases of USC was immunohistochemically stained with mouse anti-BRCA1 (Ab-1) mouse monoclonal (MS110) antibody. The cores were scored in a semiquantitative manner evaluating both the distribution and intensity of nuclear staining. BRCA1 protein expression was correlated with progression-free survival.

RESULTS:

Seventy-two of 73 cases were assessable, and there was a statistically significant decreased progression-free survival for those cases exhibiting tumor cell nuclei staining of 76% or greater (P = 0.0023).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study illustrates that a low level of BRCA1 protein expression is a favorable prognostic indicator in USC, similar to what is observed in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Further studies should focus on the BRCA1 status of USCs at a molecular level and also investigate whether BRCA1 protein expression is associated with response to chemotherapy in USC.

• Authors: James P Beirne, Jennifer E Quinn, Perry Maxwell, Steve E Kalloger, Jessica McAlpine, C Blake Gilks, Ian J G Harley, W Glenn McCluggage
• Journal: International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society (Int J Gynecol Cancer) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 113-8 (Jan 2013) ISSN: 1525-1438 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23221734 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• BRCA1 Protein
• BRCA1 protein, human
• Biomarkers, Tumor

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• BRCA1 Protein (analysis, metabolism)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis, metabolism)
• Cohort Studies
• Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous (diagnosis, metabolism, mortality, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry (methods)
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Staining and Labeling (methods)
• Survival Analysis
• Tissue Array Analysis
• Uterine Neoplasms (diagnosis, metabolism, mortality, pathology)