Protein kinase C isoform expression in ovarian carcinoma correlates with indicators of poor prognosis
- Authors:
- Published online on: September 1, 2003 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.3.633
- Pages: 633-639
Metrics: Total
Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Abstract
In this study expression of protein kinase C α (PKCα), δ (PKCδ) and ι (PKCι) was determined immunohistochemically in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimen of ovarian cystadenomas (n=7), borderline tumours of the ovary (n=8), primary (n=54) and recurrent invasive ovarian carcinomas (n=13). The expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. In addition, expression of PKCι was assessed in 3 ovarian carcinoma cell lines (OVCAR-3, SKOV-3, OAW-42) and in one human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) cell line. We found expression of PKCα in 71.4% of cystadenomas, 50% of borderline tumours, 53.7% of primary and 38.5% of recurrent ovarian carcinomas. PKCδ was not expressed in epithelium of adenomas, borderline tumours, primary and recurrent ovarian carcinomas. PKCι was expressed in 51.9% of primary and 46.2% of recurrent ovarian carcinomas but not in cystadenomas and borderline tumours of the ovary. Consistent with these findings ovarian carcinoma cell lines showed strong expression of PKCι whereas HOSE cells did not. Correlation of PKCα and PKCι expression and clinicopathological features revealed a significant negative correlation of PKCα with histopathological grading and a significant positive correlation of PKCι with histopathological grading and FIGO stage as well as a borderline significant positive correlation with proliferation index. Univariate survival analysis showed that amongst other yet known prognostic parameters (FIGO stage, histopathological grading, proliferation index) PKCι expression in primary ovarian carcinomas correlated significantly (p=0.024) with a reduced median survival time, but was not an independent prognostic factor. The findings of this study, together with data from functional studies by other groups suggest that alteration of PKC isoform expression may be involved in progression of ovarian carcinomas.