title: BRCA1 immunohistochemical staining as a prognostic indicator in uterine serous carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between BRCA1 protein expression, as determined by immunohistochemistry, and clinical outcome in uterine serous carcinoma (USC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A tissue microarray containing duplicate cores of 73 cases of USC was immunohistochemically stained with mouse anti-BRCA1 (Ab-1) mouse monoclonal (MS110) antibody. The cores were scored in a semiquantitative manner evaluating both the distribution and intensity of nuclear staining. BRCA1 protein expression was correlated with progression-free survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two of 73 cases were assessable, and there was a statistically significant decreased progression-free survival for those cases exhibiting tumor cell nuclei staining of 76% or greater (P = 0.0023).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study illustrates that a low level of BRCA1 protein expression is a favorable prognostic indicator in USC, similar to what is observed in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Further studies should focus on the BRCA1 status of USCs at a molecular level and also investigate whether BRCA1 protein expression is associated with response to chemotherapy in USC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antrim Area Hospital, Antrim, United Kingdom. jamesybeirne@hotmail.com
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Beirne
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Perry
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.forename: Steve E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kalloger
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McAlpine
authors.forename: C Blake
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Gilks
authors.forename: Ian J G
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Harley
authors.forename: W Glenn
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: McCluggage
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019313:BRCA1 Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D016019:Survival Analysis; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019313:BRCA1 Protein; C492913:BRCA1 protein, human; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor