title: Fascin-1 expression as stratification marker in borderline epithelial tumours of the ovary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the actin-bundling protein fascin-1 (FSCN1) as marker for borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed a retrospective cohort of 140 BOTs with validated diagnosis by an independent pathologist. Immunohistochemical detection of FSCN1 was quantified as combined immunoreactive score (CIS) blinded to clinical patient data. Analyses were first performed for FSCN1 positive versus negative, and then verified using three categories derived from the observed distribution (negative, weak, strong; CIS 0, 1-2, 3-9).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We detected FSCN1 positivity in 51.4%, and strong expression (CIS 3-9) in 14.3% of the samples. FSCN1 positivity was associated with serous subtype (p<0.001) and micropapillary pattern (p<0.001). Correlation with micropapillary pattern remained significant within the serous BOT (SBOT) subgroup (p=0.022). Strong FSCN1 expression (CIS 3-9) was associated both with the presence of implants (p=0.022), and a higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (p=0.020).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our analysis links FSCN1 with SBOT with micropapillary pattern. Strong expression is associated with higher FIGO stage and the presence of implants, both related to elevated risk of recurrence. Hence, FSCN1 is an interesting marker worth further analyses of its prognostic value in BOTs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Balat
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Ruza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arsenic
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sänger
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3264-6573
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karn
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Holtrich
authors.affiliation: Center for Pathology, Cytology and Molecular Pathology, Neuss, Germany.
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C502658:FSCN1 protein, human; D008840:Microfilament Proteins
keywords: CELL ADHESION MOLECULES; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY; MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY; OVARIAN TUMOUR