title: Hormone receptors as a marker of poor survival in epithelial ovarian cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor α and β (ERα, ERβ), and progesterone receptor (PR) are potential therapeutic targets in epithelial ovarian cancer. In this study we evaluate the prognostic value of these hormone receptors in ovarian cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective multicenter randomized controlled phase II trial 196 ovarian cancer patients were randomized to carboplatin/docetaxel±celecoxib. Of 121 patients sufficient tumor tissue was available for hormone receptor analysis. Tissue micro-arrays were stained for AR, ERα, ERβ, and PR. Cluster analysis was performed to identify subgroups based on hormone receptor expression profile. Receptor expression was correlated to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in uni- and multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AR, ERα, ERβ, and PR were expressed in respectively 10%, 31%, 73%, and 19%. In patients with synchronous metastasis tissue available (n=69 patients), discordant receptor expression was observed in 9-32%. ERβ-expression was associated with poor PFS and OS (hazard ratios 1.88 and 1.92). Clustering analysis revealed a subgroup with hormone receptor negative disease that had a favorable PFS and OS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hormone receptors are expressed in the majority of ovarian cancer tumors and may serve as therapeutic targets. Clustering analysis can reveal subgroups with different outcome, which may prove valuable in selecting patients for endocrine therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Kruchten
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van der Marel
authors.affiliation: Department of Registration and Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center the Netherlands, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Munck
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hollema
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henriette
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arts
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hetty
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Timmer-Bosscha
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Geke
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hospers
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.k.l.reyners@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reyners
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D000068579:Celecoxib / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
chemical_list: D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016190:Carboplatin; D000068579:Celecoxib
keywords: Androgen receptor; Biomarker; Estrogen receptor; Ovarian cancer; Progesterone receptor