Activated p38-MAPK and gemcitabine sensitivity in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Our study aimed to investigate if p38-MAPK determined in primary ovarian cancer can serve as a predictive marker for sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment in recurrent disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Activated (phosphorylated) p38-MAPK was immunohistochemically assessed in paraffin-embedded tumors obtained at primary debulking surgery from 45 patients treated with gemcitabine for platinum-resistant recurrence. The value of activated p38-MAPK in predicting sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment was statistically evaluated.

RESULTS:

Activated p38-MAPK was demonstrated in all healthy ovaries and all ovarian carcinomas examined. In controls, the median histological score (H-score) for activated p38-MAPK staining was 200, while in ovarian cancer the median H-score was 100. Activity of p38-MAPK in ovarian cancer tissue was not associated with overall response or survival after gemcitabine chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION:

P38-MAPK activity, determined by immunohistochemistry in ovarian cancer specimens obtained at primary diagnosis, cannot serve as a predictive marker for sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment in platinum-resistant disease.

• Authors: Renate Klotz, Alain Gustave Zeimet, Daniel Reimer, Elisabeth Müller-Holzner, Martina Chamson, Christian Marth
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2008 Sep-Oct Vol. 28 Issue 5B Pg. 2975-80 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 19031942 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Deoxycytidine
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• Gemcitabine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (therapeutic use)
• Deoxycytidine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Enzyme Activation
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (drug therapy, enzymology, pathology)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Ovarian Neoplasms (drug therapy, enzymology, pathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)
• Gemcitabine