The immunohistochemical analysis of metallothionein in complete hydatidiform mole and in decidual cells in correlation with the applied therapy of surgery alone or surgery followed by chemotherapy

• Published in: Current Gynecologic Oncology 2012-01, Vol.10 (4), p.261
• Main Authors: Basta, Paweł, Dutsch-Wicherek, Magdalena, Biedka, Marta, Koper, Krzysztof, Mach, Paweł, Gałązka, Krystyna, Basta, Tomasz, Leśniak, Michał, Śpiewankiewicz, Beata, Wicherek, Łukasz
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; pol
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Chemotherapy; Surgery
• ISSN: 2081-1632

Introduction: The presence of metallothionein in both the endometrium and decidua is associated with the resistance of both endometrial and decidual cells to immunemediated apoptosis. Consequently, the aim of the present study has been to typify metallothionein immunoreactivity within the molar lesions of both the patients who were treated with surgery alone and those who were also given chemotherapy. Methods: We analyzed the immunoreactivity of metallothionein in both the trophoblast and decidual cells derived from patients on whom curettage was performed due to a diagnosis of complete molar pregnancy. These patients were then divided into two subgroups according to whether or not they required chemotherapy following the surgical procedure. Results: We observed a statistically significantly lower metallothionein immunoreactivity levels within the trophoblast cells derived from the complete hydatidiform mole patients who had had surgery alone in comparison to the levels found in those patients for whom surgery was followed by chemotherapy. Conclusion: Resistance to apoptosis linked with metallothionein intracellular immunoreactivity may influence the clinical course of hydatidiform mole.