Polycomb Protein BMI-1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Mucinous Ovarian Cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (mOC) is a rare subtype with distinct clinical characteristics and biological behavior that differentiate them from other epithelial ovarian cancers. This study aimed to evaluate BMI-1 expression as a potential target for therapeutic approaches in advanced stage mOC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We performed gene set, as well as transcription factor enrichment analysis and immunohistochemistry assessing of the BMI-1 protein levels in tissue specimens of eighteen mucinous ovarian cancer patients. To validate the clinical relevance of the findings, we performed cell viability assays and western blot analysis utilizing high-grade serous (HGSC) and mOC cell lines.

RESULTS:

BMI1 expression was not significantly associated with patient age, FIGO stage, lymph node status, and family history. With regard to progression-free survival, there was also no significant association (p=0.418). Cell viability was significant decreased in response to carboplatin in HGSC cells TYK-nu and OVHASO, and in mOC cell lines COV644 and EFO-27. Western blot analysis demonstrated various expression levels across all cell lines.

CONCLUSION:

BMI-1 could be a useful potential therapeutic target in some ovarian cancer patients, including mOC patients.

• Authors: Salem Abobaker, Hagen Kulbe, Eliane T Taube, Silvia Darb-Esfahani, Rolf Richter, Carsten Denkert, Paul Jank, Jalid Sehouli, Elena Ioana Braicu
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 42 Issue 4 Pg. 1739-1747 (04 2022) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 35346992 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• BMI1 protein, human
• Polycomb Repressive Complex 1

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous (drug therapy, genetics)
• Body Mass Index
• Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial (drug therapy, genetics)
• Female
• Humans
• Ovarian Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics)
• Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (genetics)