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E-cadherin as a prognostic marker in human serous carcinomas of the ovary: an immunohistochemical analysis

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Ovarian cancer is a gynecologic cancer with a high mortality rate, demonstrating the need for effective and reliable tumor markers during the staging and treatment processes.

Methods

Expression of E-cadherin was immunohistochemically analyzed in 100 ovarian cancer tissue samples.

Results

A significant association of E-cadherin expression with histological grading (p = 0.001) and surgical stage (p = 0.020) could be demonstrated. However, the staining intensity of E-cadherin was not significantly associated with progression-free, cause-specific survival or overall survival in serous ovarian carcinomas.

Conclusion

The E-cadherin expression was associated with FIGO surgical staging and histological differentiation in serious ovarian carcinomas, suggesting a substantial role in the carcinogenesis of serous ovarian carcinomas. However, although patients with a strong E-cadherin staining intensity had a better prognosis, no statistical significant differences could be observed. Therefore, E-cadherin might not be a useful prognostic tumor marker in serous ovarian carcinomas.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mrs. C. Dannenmann, Mrs. S. Kunze, Mrs. C. Kuhn Dr. N. Shabani, Dr. T. Blankenstein, Dr. A. Burges, Prof. U. Jeschke, and Prof. K. Friese for support in immunohistochemical analysis and the previous characterization of the analyzed ovarian tumor samples. Additionally, we would also like to thank Prof. D. Hölzel—Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, and Mr. M. Schmidt of the Munich Tumor Registry for supplying the survival data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany

    Darius Dian, Ansgar Brüning & Ioannis Mylonas

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  1. Darius Dian
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  2. Ansgar Brüning
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  3. Ioannis Mylonas
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Correspondence to Ioannis Mylonas.

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Dian, D., Brüning, A. & Mylonas, I. E-cadherin as a prognostic marker in human serous carcinomas of the ovary: an immunohistochemical analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 284, 437–443 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1657-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1657-0

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