Hormone�-receptor expression status of epithelial ovarian cancer in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria

Abstract

IntroductionEpidemiological evidence strongly suggests that steroid hormones are implicated in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. Estrogen receptor (ER) and Progesterone receptor (PR) are prognostic indicators for a number of epithelial tumors and may play the same role in ovarian cancers. This study aims to evaluate the expression of ER and PR in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in an African population and compare it with other prognostic factors such as age, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, grade and histological subtype.MethodsNinety cases of histologically confirmed EOC were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess their ER and PR expression status and was then compared with other demographic variables using statistical methods, with level of significance set at p < 0.05.Results30.2% and 8.3% of serous and mucinous carcinomas respectively were ER positive while 41.2% and 22.5% of both tumour types were PR positive. One of the two endometrioid carcinomas showed PR expression but neither were positive for ER. The only case of Brenner tumour in the series was ER positive but negative for PR. There was a significant association between ER and the histological subtypes (p = 0.042) while no significant association was found between PR expression and histological subtypes (p = 0.650). No significant association was found between hormone receptor status, age and stage of the EOC.ConclusionThe study showed a lower ER expression in serous carcinoma compared to large cohorts from developed countries. Future translational studies could be used to determine response of EOC to endocrine therapy.

Therapeutic options for mucinous ovarian carcinoma

“…It has been suggested that these histotypes may respond to hormonal therapy [ 38 – 40 ]. The percentage of ER+ cases we observed (10.6%) is consistent with a recent OTTA study, which found that 16% of MOC had strong ER expression [ 37 ], but others report rates as low as 4% up to 19% [ 41 – 44 ]. None of the MOC cases in our cohort appear to have received hormonal therapy, hence hormonal response data within this cohort is unknown.…”

Prognostic value of β-Arrestins in combination with glucocorticoid receptor in epithelial ovarian cancer

“…Gonadotropins, estrogens, and androgens may promote ovarian cancer progression, whereas gonadotropinreleasing hormone and progesterone may protect against ovarian cancer (8,28,29). Empirical studies have corroborated that hormone receptors are expressed in both normal and ovarian cancer surface epithelium (30) and they may be associated with carcinogens and result in ovarian cancer (31,32). Although clinical trials using hormonal therapeutic agents in patients with ovarian cancer have been conducted (33, 34), their results have been inconclusive.…”

A comprehensive review on the carcinogenic potential of bisphenol A: clues and evidence

“…Sex steroids play an important role in OVC development and progression (Gómora et al 2018 ). There is an elevated level of ER expression in epithelial ovarian cancer cells compared to benign and normal ovarian epithelial cells (Ajani et al 2017 ). Estrogen consumption, either as an oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy, increases the risk of OVC.…”