title: Tumor- and stromal cell-specific expression of topoisomerase IIα and HER-2/neu in primary and recurrent ovarian cancer: Results of a prospective study.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A) and HER-2 in tumor epithelial and adjacent stromal cells in ovarian cancer (OvCa). Immunohistochemistry for TOP2A and HER-2 was performed on 50 OvCa specimens from the Tumor Bank of Ovarian Cancer, and was correlated to established clinicopathological parameters. TOP2A was expressed in 98% and HER-2 in 52% of the OvCa specimens. Moderate expression of TOP2A was detected in 72% of the adjacent stromal cells. TOP2A and HER-2 were strongly expressed in the tumor epithelial cells of primary OvCa, but reduced in recurrent OvCa. Stromal expression of TOP2A increased in recurrent OvCa after platinum-based chemotherapy. In conclusion, distinct epithelial and stromal cell expression of TOP2A and HER-2 is a novel feature in the tumor biology of OvCa. Differential cellular expression of TOP2A in relation to previous chemotherapy probably reflects a modified activity of the 'stromal compartment' in drug resistance. Thus, analysis of TOP2A expression in tumor and stromal OvCa cells can aid in identifying subgroups of patients who may have a more favorable response to chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Virchow Clinic, Charité University Hospital, D-13353 Berlin, Germany. radoslav.chekerov@charite.de.
authors.forename: Radoslav
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chekerov
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koensgen
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Klaman
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Guelten
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oskay-Oezcelik
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mustea
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lightenegger
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: Jalid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sehouli