IMP3 Expression in Borderline Tumors of the Ovary.
Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) have a less aggressive behavior than invasive epithelial ovarian tumors. Still some patients relapse or succumb to disease. Molecular markers that reliably predict prognosis are lacking. Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein (IMP3) has been suggested as a prognostic marker in colorectal, hepatocellular, and ovarian clear-cell carcinomas.



We analyzed the expression of IMP3 by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 140 BOT and its association with histopathological features.



We found no association of IMP3 expression with patients' age, FIGO stage, microinvasion, and presence of implants. In contrast, IMP3 expression correlated to mucinous subtype of BOTs (42.2% vs. 9.5% among other subtypes) (p<0.001). IMP3 expression was found to be associated with the presence of in situ carcinoma in MBOT, but not in other subtypes (p=0.021).



Expression of IMP3 in BOT is associated with the mucinous subtype and may serve as an early indicator for the development of malignant features.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany ahmed.el-balat@kgu.de.
Ahmed
A
El-Balat
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
Nicole
N
Sänger
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
Thomas
T
Karn
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
Sven
S
Becker
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
Uwe
U
Holtrich
Institute of Pathology, Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
Zelal
Z
Muallem
Institute of Pathology, Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.
Ruza
R
Arsenic
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C498780:IGF2BP3 protein, human; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins
Ovarian cancer; borderline tumors; histological subtypes; prognosis