Expression of c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptors in ovarian granulosa cell tumors.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at evaluating the expression of tyrosine kinase receptors c-kit, (platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFR-alpha), and PDGFR-beta in ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs).


METHODS
Primary ovarian GCT specimens were obtained for immunohistochemical staining.The expressions of c-kit, PDGFR-alpha, and PDGFR-beta were analyzed and scored by a semiquantitative (SQ) method. Normal ovarian tissue from the same patients' specimens served as internal controls.


RESULTS
A total of 21 specimens were available for evaluation. C-kit was expressed in only 2 samples, whereas both PDGFR-alpha and PDGFR-beta stained positive in 100% of tumors. PDGFR targets demonstrated strong positive expression in intensity and amount of tissue stained. Normal ovarian tissue demonstrated complete absence of staining for all 3 antibodies evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
The data demonstrated significant expression of PDGFR targets of imatinib mesylate in GCTs, whereas normal ovarian tissues had a complete absence of staining.This expression profile provides the rationale to investigate the role of imatinib mesylate in PDGFR-positive GCTs.
Rocconi
Rodney P
RP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, Alabama 36607, USA. rocconi@usouthal.edu
Matthews
Kellie S
KS
Kimball
Kristopher J
KJ
Conner
Michael G
MG
Baker
Allyson C
AC
Barnes
Mack N
MN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001549:Benzamides; D002648:Child; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004848:Epithelium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006106:Granulosa Cell Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta