EMX2 is downregulated in endometrial cancer and correlated with tumor progression.
EMX2 (the human homologue of Drosophila empty spiracles gene 2) is a candidate tumor suppressor. However, its roles in endometrial cancer are still unknown. In this study, we evaluated EMX2 expression in different subtypes of endometrial cancer and its relationships with clinicopathologic characteristics. By immunohistochemical staining, we investigated the level of EMX2 protein in 122 endometrial cancer and 25 normal endometrium tissues. Correlations between EMX2 expression and clinicopathologic features of patients were analyzed using a statistical software. Compared with the normal endometrium, the expression of EMX2 was significantly downregulated in endometrial cancer tissues (P< 0.001). Reduced EMX2 expression was correlated with the tumor stage (P = 0.023), grade (P = 0.016), and the depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.04), but not with age, pathologic subtype, lymph node metastasis, lymph vascular space invasion, or ER/PR/p53 status. Downregulation of EMX2 was associated with tumor progression and may be a critical factor in the carcinogenesis and progression of endometrial cancer, which provided a novel therapeutic target and a potential marker for prognostic prediction.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of the China Welfare Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
Haifeng
H
Qiu
Qin
Q
Yan
Xin
X
Luo
Huijuan
H
Zhang
Wei
W
Bao
Xiaoping
X
Wan
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins