E-cadherin as a prognostic marker in human serous carcinomas of the ovary: an immunohistochemical analysis.
BACKGROUND
Ovarian cancer is a gynecologic cancer with a high mortality rate, demonstrating the need for effective and reliable tumor markers during the staging and treatment processes.


METHODS
Expression of E-cadherin was immunohistochemically analyzed in 100 ovarian cancer tissue samples.


RESULTS
A significant association of E-cadherin expression with histological grading (p = 0.001) and surgical stage (p = 0.020) could be demonstrated. However, the staining intensity of E-cadherin was not significantly associated with progression-free, cause-specific survival or overall survival in serous ovarian carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
The E-cadherin expression was associated with FIGO surgical staging and histological differentiation in serious ovarian carcinomas, suggesting a substantial role in the carcinogenesis of serous ovarian carcinomas. However, although patients with a strong E-cadherin staining intensity had a better prognosis, no statistical significant differences could be observed. Therefore, E-cadherin might not be a useful prognostic tumor marker in serous ovarian carcinomas.
Dian
Darius
D
1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany.
Brüning
Ansgar
A
Mylonas
Ioannis
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D015415:Biomarkers; D015820:Cadherins