Value of Forkhead Box A1 (FOX A1) Immunohistochemical Expression in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Ovarian cancer is with the greatest fatality rate in the gynecological malignancy, with about two-thirds of patients receiving an advanced diagnosis because of late presentation. Additionally, 90% of patients experience recurrence and eventually develop chemo resistance. Finding new prognostic indicators and treatment targets tailored to that cancer is therefore highly desirable. It was discovered that FOX A1 plays a part in the growth and development of numerous tumours, including gliomas, breast, stomach, lung, and esophageal cancers, although its function in ovarian cancer has not been fully characterised. Aim: To assess the value of FOX A1 immunohistochemical expression in epithelial ovarian cancer and its relationship with clinicopathologic features. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that was carried out in the Pathology department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, in the period from November 2021to November 2022. All cases of epithelial ovarian cancer of different; grades, stages and histopathological subtypes with complete clinical data were included in the study. Specimens of paraffin blocks were obtained by total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophorectomy (TAH+BSO) with omentectomy and lymph node dissection. They were examined by two independent pathologist for evaluation grade and stage. FOX A1 immunohistochemical staining was done for all specimens. Results: There was a statistically significant association between FOX A1 expression and patients' age, menopause, patients with bilateral lesions, ruptured capsule, positive peritoneal cytology, lymph node metastasis, omental deposits pathological grade and FIGO stage.-Conclusion: FOX A1 expression was related to poor prognostic predictors in EOC.