title: Phenotypic plasticity of neoplastic ovarian epithelium: unique cadherin profiles in tumor progression.
abstract: The mesodermally derived normal ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) displays both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics and exhibits remarkable phenotypic plasticity during post-ovulatory repair. The majority of epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOC) are derived from the OSE and represent the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies, as most patients (approximately 70%) present at diagnosis with disseminated intra-abdominal metastasis. The predominant pattern of EOC metastasis involves pelvic dissemination rather than lymphatic or hematologic spread, distinguishing EOC from other solid tumors. Acquisition of the metastatic phenotype involves a complex series of interrelated cellular events leading to dissociation (shedding) and dispersal of malignant cells. A key event in this process is disruption of cell-cell contacts via modulation of intercellular junctional components. In contrast to most carcinomas that downregulate E-cadherin expression during tumor progression, a unique feature of primary well-differentiated ovarian cancers is a gain of epithelial features, characterized by an increase in expression of E-cadherin. Subsequent reacquisition of mesenchymal features is observed in more advanced tumors with concomitant loss of E-cadherin expression and/or function during progression to metastasis. The functional consequences of this remarkable phenotypic plasticity are not fully understood, but may play a role in modulation of cell survival in suspension (ascites), chemoresistance, and intraperitoneal anchoring of metastatic lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Laurie G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Reema
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeineldin
authors.forename: M Sharon
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Stack
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins