No abstract

Context: Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR-2), which belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase family, Snail-1, which is a member of zinc-finger transcription factor family, and Ovol-2, which is a member of Ovol family, are incriminated in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) during cancer progression. Aim: In the current study, we aim to clarify the extent to which EMT biomarkers, DDR-2, Snail-1, and Ovol-2 expression, are involved in the progression of EOC aiming at identification of novel markers for predicting the prognosis of EOC patients. Settings and Design: This was a prospective cohort that was performed in the Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University. Materials and Methods: We evaluated DDR-2, Snail-1, and Ovol-2 expression in 60 patients of EOC using immunohistochemistry. We followed our patients for about 36 months and analyzed the relationship between markers expression and the prognosis of patients. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS program (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Results: High expression of both DDR-2 and Snail-1 was related to higher grade (P = 0.006) and advanced FIGO stage of the tumor (P < 0.001). Ovol-2 high expression was associated with lower grade of the tumor (P = 0.002) and early stage of the tumor (P < 0.001). High Ovol-2 and low DDR2 and Snail-1 expression were strongly correlated with better response to therapy (P = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively) and increased 3-year survival rates (P < 0.001). Conclusion: DDR-2 and Snail-1 are markers of poor prognosis in EOC while Ovol-2 is a marker of good prognosis.

Background: Serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) forms high percentage of epithelial ovarian cancer with frequent relapse and drug resistance. Spalt-like transcription factor SALL4 is a zinc finger transcriptional factor that regulates multiple downstream targeted genes included in normal development, essential in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (escs). The role of SALL4 in serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) is still controversial although it is involved in some tumor progression. Tau protein (50-64 kd), a product of gene located in chromosome 17 (17q21) shows the ability of combining to beta-tubulin. It may bind to the exterior as well as to the interior microtubules surface and its function has been extensively associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Aim of the work: To explore and assess the Predictive and prognostic role of SALL4 and Tau protein immunohistochemical expressions in serous ovarian carcinoma patients treated with paclitaxel/ carboplatin first-line chemotherapy. Methods: Immunohistochemical expressions of SALL4 and Tau protein were evaluated in sections from 50 paraffin blocks of serous ovarian carcinoma patients. The relationship between their level of expressions, prognosis and predictive value in serous ovarian carcinoma patients treated with paclitaxel/platinum first-line chemotherapy was analyzed. Results: The expression of SALL4 in serous ovarian carcinoma was significantly positively correlated with grade, stage, lymph node metastasis (p<0.001), local recurrence of the tumor (p=0.002) and distant metastasis (p=0.005). The expression of Tau protein was significantly positively correlated with grade, stage, lymph node, distant metastasis (p<0.001) and local recurrence of the tumor (p=0.002). High SALL4 expression was significantly positively correlated with response to treatment, performance status worse 3-year overall survival (OS) and local recurrence free survival rate (P =0.018, 0.01, 0.008 and <0.001 respectively). High Tau protein expression were significantly positively correlated with response to treatment, performance status, worse 3-year overall survival (OS) rate, local recurrence free survival rate (p<0.001) and resistance to the paclitaxel/platinum first-line chemotherapy (p= 0.021). Conclusion: SALL4 and Tau protein may be considered as poor prognostic and predictive markers in serous ovarian carcinoma.

Background:The microenvironment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) continued to be an important point of research to discover new therapeutic targets for such malignancy. It was discovered that any cells that were in the microenvironment of the EOC may be associated with cancer prognosis like tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and Tregulatory cells (Tregs). The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway was a T-cell checkpoint pathway that sent inhibitory signals to T cells that can inhibit immunity. PDL1, a PD-1 ligand, is detected in lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages and tumor cells. Tregs (mature T lymphocytes) that start in the thymus after stimulation of naïve T cells and responsible for the reduction of autoimmune diseases, but its over production will inhibit endogenous protection against infection and tumors. Forkhead/winged-helix transcription factor box P3 (Foxp3) is an intracellular molecule for Tregs growth and maturation and was found to be the most specific Tregs marker. It was found that Foxp3 is not only found in Treg cells that originated in the thymus but also in malignant cells and its difference in expression can affect the outcome of cancer patients. Aim of our study: was to assess PD-L1 and FOXP3 expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma a trial to detect their prognostic value and their impact on survival in patients with such type of cancer. Methods: The expressions of PD-L1 and FOXP3 in both tumor cells and stromawere evaluated in sections of 50 paraffin blocks that were retrieved from 50 patients with EOC using immunohistochemistry.We assessed the relation between their expressions, clinicopathological parameters, survival and prognosis of those patients

Background; Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy and the second cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Understanding the underlying molecular biology of breast cancer allow better management to decrease its mortality. The S100 P is a member of S100 family of Ca2+-binding proteins. Apoptosis is a physiologic mechanism of cell death that has been shown to play important role in cancer development. Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic gene that has the ability to block apoptotic signals, while Bax is another member of the Bcl-2 family that has an apoptosis-stimulating function. The aims of our study were to elucidate the prognostic role of S100P, bcl2 and bax in breast cancer, clarify the relation between their expressions and the prognosis of that type of cancer. Method: The plasma S100P levels (by ELISA) and expressions of bcl2& bax (by Immunohistochemistry) were evaluated in 90 women; 70 metastatic breast cancer patients (MBC), 12 primary breast cancer patients (PBC) and 8 healthy controls, thenwe assessed the prognostic value of S100P, bax, bcl2 in breast cancer patients. RESULTS: the plasma S100P level was nearly the same for PBC patients and controls, but was higher than that of MBC patients (p<0.001). There is significant correlations between the level of S100P with capsular invasion (p =0.018), stage, bcl2 and bax (P <0.001). In MBC there is a significant association between elevation of S100P level, number and site of metastasis (P<0.001). Bcl2 expressions in breast cancer patients had negative significant correlations with grade (P< 0.001), ki67 (P< 0.021), molecular subtype (P< 0.050), stage (P <0.001), and S100p (P<0.05), also its expression in MBC patients was statistically significant with number of metastasis (P=0.014). Bax high expression is statistically significant with grade (P=0.003), stage (P<0.001), ER (P<0.010), PR (P<0.023), Her-2 neu (P<0.002),