Prognostic Significance of Fascin Expression in Advanced Poorly Differentiated Serous Ovarian Cancer

• Published in: Anticancer research 2008-05, Vol.28 (3B), p.1905-1910
• Main Authors: DAPONTE, Alexandros, KOSTOPOULOU, Eva, MINAS, Marco, KOUKOULIS, George, MESSINIS, Ioannis E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carrier Proteins - biosynthesis; Cell Growth Processes - physiology; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous - metabolism; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous - pathology; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Ki-67 Antigen - biosynthesis; Medical sciences; Microfilament Proteins - biosynthesis; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Ovarian Neoplasms - metabolism; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Tumors
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530

Background: High expression of the actin-bundling protein fascin correlates well with histological grade and clinical stage of ovarian carcinoma. This study addresses fascin expression in advanced poorly differentiated serous ovarian cancer with respect to progression free interval (PFI) and overall survival. Patients and Methods: Fascin and Ki-67 expression were analysed in paraffin blocks tissue sections of 56 stage III, poorly differentiated (G3) serous adenocarcinoma patients by immunohistochemistry. Fascin expression was tested for correlation with PFI and overall survival. Results: Fascin expression inversely correlated with Ki-67 expression (p=0.016). Strong fascin immunoreactivity was associated with poor prognosis; patients with low fascin expression had a median survival of 36.5 months versus 32 months for high fascin expression (p=0.041), and the median PFl was 24 versus 17.5 months (p=0.034). Conclusion: Fascin expression is an independent prognostic factor for survival of advanced ovarian serous carcinoma, and may represent a novel therapeutic target for patients with aggressive forms of ovarian cancer.