Alpha-folate receptor expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and non-neoplastic ovarian tissue
Susanne Markert, Silke Lassmann, Boris Gabriel, Maximilian Klar, Martin Werner, Gerald Gitsch, Felix Kratz, Annette Hasenburg, Susanne Markert, Silke Lassmann, Boris Gabriel, Maximilian Klar, Martin Werner, Gerald Gitsch, Felix Kratz, Annette Hasenburg
Abstract
Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern and intracellular localization of alpha-folate receptor (alpha-FR) protein in human ovarian carcinoma compared with non-neoplastic ovarian tissue.
Materials and methods: Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), alpha-FR protein expression was analyzed in specimens of 104 human ovarian carcinomas and 30 non-neoplastic ovaries.
Results: In 97% of the ovarian carcinomas, clear alpha-FR protein expression was detected (14% weak, 39% moderate, 44% strong). In the non-neoplastic ovaries, no (37%) or only weak (63%) expression was observed (p<0.0001). The tumor cells were characterized by a diffuse and homogeneous staining pattern. In tumor and non-tumor tissue, alpha-FR protein was detected predominantly in the cellular cytoplasm. In 41% of the ovarian carcinomas, cytoplasmic expression was localized towards the outer boarders of the invasive tumor cells and 30% exhibited additional nuclear alpha-FR protein expression.
Conclusion: Compared with nonneoplastic ovaries, alpha-FR protein is overexpressed in human ovarian carcinoma tissue.
Source: PubMed