Expression of ras oncogene p21 protein in normal and neoplastic ovarian tissues: correlation with histopathologic features and receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and epidermal growth factor.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the biologic significance of p21 expression in normal and neoplastic ovarian tissues.


METHODS
Western blotting analysis of p21/ras oncoprotein was conducted in a group of 14 normal and cystic ovaries, six benign tumors, 42 primary ovarian cancers, and 15 omental metastases.


RESULTS
Levels of p21 were similar in normal and cystic ovaries and in benign tumors, whereas they were significantly higher in malignant tumors than in control tissues (median 1.91, range 0.12 to 5.00 vs median 1.03, range 0.32 to 2.20; p = 0.023) and in omental metastases than in primary ovarian carcinomas (median 3.05, range 0.55 to 5.72 vs median 1.97, range 0.12 to 5.00; p = 0.14). We found no correlation between p21 expression and histopathologic or clinical characteristics. Estrogen receptor-positive and progesterone receptor-positive tumors expressed higher p21 levels than did estrogen receptor-negative and progesterone receptor-negative tumors (p < 0.05), but no correlation with epidermal growth factor receptor status was found. In the univariate analysis of survival p21 positivity showed a negative prognostic value.


CONCLUSIONS
The enhancement of p21 protein is associated in the ovarian tissue with the malignant phenotype and the acquisition of metastatic potential.
Scambia
G
G
Department of Gynecology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Catozzi
L
L
Panici
P B
PB
Ferrandina
G
G
Coronetta
F
F
Barozzi
R
R
Baiocchi
G
G
Uccelli
L
L
Piffanelli
A
A
Mancuso
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009852:Omentum; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras) / Q000032:analysis*; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000556:secondary*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras)