Tissue microarray analysis of hormonal signaling pathways in uterine carcinosarcoma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the relationship of hormone (estrogen receptor alpha, estrogen receptor beta, progesterone receptor) and growth factor receptor (insulin-like growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) expression with disease progression in uterine carcinosarcoma.

STUDY DESIGN:

Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue arrays using standard methodology. Differences between groups were evaluated by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Interactions between tumor stage and receptor expression were determined by linear trend analysis.

RESULTS:

Compared with normal endometrium, carcinosarcomas exhibited low estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor expression (all P < .01), but overexpressed estrogen receptor beta (P = .02). Estrogen receptor beta expression increased in advanced stage disease (P = .02). Insulin-like growth factor receptor expression was lower in carcinosarcoma compared with normal endometrium (P = .01). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression was elevated and increased with disease progression (P < .01).

CONCLUSION:

In uterine carcinosarcoma, estrogen receptor beta expression is elevated and increases with disease progression, whereas estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor are suppressed. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression is increased, whereas insulin-like growth factor receptor is lower than in normal endometrium. These data support a potential role for estrogen receptor beta in disease progression via crosstalk with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.

• Authors: Gloria S Huang, Rebecca C Arend, Maomi Li, Marc J Gunter, Lydia G Chiu, Susan Band Horwitz, Gary L Goldberg
• Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 200 Issue 4 Pg. 457.e1-5 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1097-6868 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19200930 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Estrogen Receptor alpha
• Estrogen Receptor beta
• Receptors, Growth Factor
• Receptors, Progesterone

Topics

• Carcinosarcoma (chemistry, metabolism, pathology)
• Disease Progression
• Estrogen Receptor alpha (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Estrogen Receptor beta (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Female
• Humans
• Microarray Analysis
• Neoplasm Staging
• Pilot Projects
• Receptors, Growth Factor (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Receptors, Progesterone (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Signal Transduction
• Uterine Neoplasms (chemistry, metabolism, pathology)