The transcription factor Sox11 is a prognostic factor for improved recurrence-free survival in epithelial ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
Current prognostic molecular markers for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are insufficient. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of Sox11 in EOC.


METHODS
Using an in silico transcriptomic screen, Sox11 was identified as a potential EOC biomarker. Sox11 protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 76 EOC cases, which were analysed using automated algorithms to develop a quantitative scoring model.


RESULTS
Sox11 mRNA expression was upregulated in EOC compared to normal tissues. Automated analysis of Sox11 in the EOC cohort revealed high expression of Sox11, in 40% of tumours, who had an improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p=0.002). Multivariate analysis confirmed that Sox11 was an independent predictor of improved RFS after controlling for stage and grade.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that Sox11 is a new prognostic marker in EOC. Loss of Sox11 is associated with a decreased RFS and a more aggressive phenotype.
Brennan
Donal J
DJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street Dublin 2, Ireland.
Ek
Sara
S
Doyle
Emma
E
Drew
Thomas
T
Foley
Michael
M
Flannelly
Grainne
G
O'Connor
Darran P
DP
Gallagher
William M
WM
Kilpinen
Sami
S
Kallioniemi
Olli-Pekka
OP
Jirstrom
Karin
K
O'Herlihy
Colm
C
Borrebaeck
Carl A K
CA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D055751:SOXC Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C097473:SOX11 protein, human; D055751:SOXC Transcription Factors