title: Alpha-folate receptor expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and non-neoplastic ovarian tissue.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern and intracellular localization of alpha-folate receptor (alpha-FR) protein in human ovarian carcinoma compared with non-neoplastic ovarian tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), alpha-FR protein expression was analyzed in specimens of 104 human ovarian carcinomas and 30 non-neoplastic ovaries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 97% of the ovarian carcinomas, clear alpha-FR protein expression was detected (14% weak, 39% moderate, 44% strong). In the non-neoplastic ovaries, no (37%) or only weak (63%) expression was observed (p<0.0001). The tumor cells were characterized by a diffuse and homogeneous staining pattern. In tumor and non-tumor tissue, alpha-FR protein was detected predominantly in the cellular cytoplasm. In 41% of the ovarian carcinomas, cytoplasmic expression was localized towards the outer boarders of the invasive tumor cells and 30% exhibited additional nuclear alpha-FR protein expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with nonneoplastic ovaries, alpha-FR protein is overexpressed in human ovarian carcinoma tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Hugstetter Strasse 55, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markert
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lassmann
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klar
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gitsch
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasenburg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D005492:Folic Acid