title: Prognostic Relevance of the Expression of CA IX, GLUT-1, and VEGF in Ovarian Epithelial Cancers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tumor hypoxia is associated with malignant progression and treatment resistance. Hypoxia-related factors, such as carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) permit tumor cell adaptation to hypoxia. We attempted to elucidate the correlation of these markers with variable clinicopathological factors and overall prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry for CA IX, GLUT-1, and VEGF was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 125 cases of ovarian epithelial cancer (OEC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CA IX expression was significantly associated with an endometrioid and mucinous histology, nuclear grade, tumor necrosis, and mitosis. GLUT-1 expression was associated with tumor necrosis and mitosis. VEGF expression was correlated only with disease recurrence. Expression of each marker was not significant in terms of overall survival in OECs; however, there was a significant correlation between poor overall survival rate and high coexpression of these markers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggests that it is questionable whether CA IX, GLUT-1, or VEGF can be used alone as independent prognostic factors in OECs. Using at least two markers helps to predict patient outcomes in total OECs. Moreover, the inhibition of two target gene combinations might prove to be a novel anticancer therapy.
authors: Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea.
authors: Kyungbin
authors: K
authors: Kim
authors: Won Young
authors: WY
authors: Park
authors: Jee Yeon
authors: JY
authors: Kim
authors: Mee Young
authors: MY
authors: Sol
authors: Dong Hun
authors: DH
authors: Shin
authors: Do Youn
authors: DY
authors: Park
authors: Chang Hun
authors: CH
authors: Lee
authors: Jeong Hee
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Kyung Un
authors: KU
authors: Choi
keywords: Carbonic anhydrase IX; GLUT-1; Ovarian epithelial cancer; Vascular endothelial growth factor A