title: Transforming growth factor alpha, amphiregulin and cripto-1 are frequently expressed in advanced human ovarian carcinomas.
abstract: The expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha), amphiregulin (AR) and cripto-1 (CR-1) was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 83 specimens (59 primary ovarian tumors and 24 extra-ovarian carcinomas) that were obtained from 68 ovarian carcinoma patients. Within the 59 primary tumors, 54 (92%) expressed immunoreactive TGFalpha, 45 (76%) expressed AR, and 28 (47%) expressed CR-1. The expression of AR and CR-1 mRNAs in the ovarian carcinomas was also demonstrated by RT-PCR analysis. Seventeen extra-ovarian specimens (71%) were found to express CR-1, whereas AR and TGFalpha were expressed respectively in 21 (87%) and 22 (92%) extra-ovarian tissues. In 15 cases for whom both ovarian and extra-ovarian tissues were available, a statistically significant higher expression of CR-1 was found in extra-ovarian specimens. A statistically significant correlation was found between AR expression in the ovarian carcinomas and both low grade and low proliferative activity. Finally, expression of TGFalpha was predictive of longer progression-free survival. These data strongly suggest that the EGF-related peptides might be involved in the pathogenesis and outcome of human ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Anatomia Patologica AORN Cardarelli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Antonio
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Losito
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pignata
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tambaro
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Gullick
authors.forename: Gibbes R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Vincenzo R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Iaffaioli
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Salomon
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Normanno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D066258:Amphiregulin; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D005260:Female; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C587848:AREG protein, human; D066258:Amphiregulin; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C070636:TDGF1 protein, human; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor