This study aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in ovarian
carcinogenesis, and to identify candidate molecular targets for its diagnosis and treatment. The genome-wide gene expression profiles of 22
epithelial ovarian carcinomas were analyzed with a microarray representing 38,500 genes, in combination with
laser microbeam microdissection. A total of 273 commonly up-regulated transcripts and 387 down-regulated transcripts were identified in the ovarian
carcinoma samples. Of the 273 up-regulated transcripts, only 87 (31.9%) were previously reported as up-regulated in microarray studies using bulk
cancer tissues and normal ovarian tissues for analysis. CHMP4C (
chromatin-modifying
protein 4C) was frequently overexpressed in ovarian
carcinoma tissue, but not expressed in the normal human tissues used as a control. Our data should contribute to an improved understanding of
tumorigenesis in
ovarian cancer, and aid in the development of diagnostic
tumor markers and molecular-targeting
therapy for patients with the disease.