title: DJ-1 in endometrial cancer: a possible biomarker to improve differential diagnosis between subtypes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to characterize the well-defined endometrial cancer (EC) type I (endometrioid [EEC] G1-G2) versus the prototype of EC type II (serous [ESC]) and to evaluate the expression of specific biomarkers differentially expressed between 2 well-defined types, in those EC subtypes (such as EEC G3) disputed between types I and II.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 25 patients (10 EEC G1-G2, 8 EEC G3, 5 ESC, and 2 clear cell) submitted to the surgical treatment were collected. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis were performed on 5 EEC G1-G2 and 5 healthy endometrial samples of the same patients. Differentially expressed proteins, such as DJ-1, were validated by Western blot. In patients with EEC G1-G2, serum levels of DJ-1, an overexpressed oncoprotein related to EC pathogenesis and progression, were evaluated and then compared with levels identified in patients with ESC and healthy controls. The DJ-1 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed on neoplastic and healthy endometrium collected from the same patients. The 8 stored samples of EEC G3 were submitted to DJ-1 IHC assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 2-dimensional electrophoresis analysis identified 1040 protein spots differentially expressed in EEC G1-G2 compared with healthy endometrium. Forty-two spots were subjected to liquid chromatography-MS/MS analysis. Thirty-three up-regulated (like an annexin 2 [ANXA2] shorter isoform, CAPG [macrophage-capping protein], DJ-1/PARK7) and 9 down-regulated (like calreticulin and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1) proteins were identified and validated by Western blot. A significant increase in serum DJ-1 levels of EEC G1-G2 versus the healthy controls and in ESC versus EEC patients was observed. DJ-1 IHC score was significantly higher in ESC versus those EEC G1-G2. In 3 cases of EEC G3, the DJ-1 expression was similar to the ESC subtype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The identification of proteins, such as DJ-1, differentially expressed, between well-defined EC types I and II allows to make a subtype-specific presurgical diagnosis and help surgeon to safely preoperatively choose a proper surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: *Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, "Tommaso Campanella" Cancer Center of Germaneto, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 'Magna Graecia' University-Catanzaro, Italy; †Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, 'Magna Graecia' University-Catanzaro, Italy; ‡Unit of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Science Department, 'Magna Graecia' University-Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scumaci
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cello
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venturella
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.forename: Maria Concetta
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Faniello
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Quaresima
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cuda
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Costanzo
mesh_terms: D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; C105131:PARK7 protein, human; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1