Sperm protein 17 is highly expressed in endometrial and cervical cancers.
BACKGROUND
Sperm protein 17 (Sp17) is a highly conserved mammalian protein in the testis and spermatozoa and has been characterized as a tumor-associated antigen in a variety of human malignancies. Many studies have examined the role of Sp17 in tumorigenesis and the migration of malignant cells. It has been proposed as a useful target for tumor-vaccine strategies and a novel marker to define tumor subsets and predict drug response. This study aimed to investigate the expression of Sp17 in endometrial and cervical cancer specimens, its possible correlation with the pathological characteristics, and its value in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of the related cancers.


METHODS
The monoclonal antibodies against human Sp17 were produced as reagents for the analysis and immunohistochemistry was used to study two major kinds of paraffin-embedded gynecological cancer specimens, including 50 cases of endometrial cancer (44 adenous and 6 adenosquamous) and 31 cases of cervical cancer (15 adenous and 16 squamous). Normal peripheral endometrial and cervical tissues were used as controls.


RESULTS
Sp17 was found in 66% (33/50) of the patients with endometrial cancer and 61% (19/31) of those with cervical cancer. Its expression was found in a heterogeneous pattern in the cancer tissues. The expression was not correlated with the histological subtype and grade of malignancy, but the staining patterns were different in endometrial and cervical cancers. The hyperplastic glands were positive for Sp17 in the normal peripheral endometrial and cervical tissues in 10% (8/81) of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Sp17 is highly expressed in human endometrial and cervical cancers in a heterogeneous pattern. Although the expression frequency of Sp17 is not correlated with the histological subtype, the staining pattern may help to define endometrial and cervical cancers. Sp17 targeted immunotherapy of tumors needs more accurate validation.
Li
Fang-Qiu
FQ
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China. njlifq@jlonline.com
Liu
Qun
Q
Han
Yan-Ling
YL
Wu
Bo
B
Yin
Hong-Lin
HL
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C090172:SPA17 protein, human