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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

The EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal-transition)-related protein expression indicates the metastatic status and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer

Authors: Masaaki Takai, Yoshito Terai, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Keisuke Ashihara, Satoe Fujiwara, Tomohito Tanaka, Satoshi Tsunetoh, Yoshimichi Tanaka, Hiroshi Sasaki, Masanori Kanemura, Akiko Tanabe, Masahide Ohmichi

Published in: Journal of Ovarian Research | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Objectives

The epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) is an important step in the invasion and metastasis of cancer. A critical molecular feature of this process is the downregulation of the E-cadherin expression, which is primarily controlled by Snail-related zinc-finger transcription factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the expression of EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin and Snail) in patients with ovarian cancer.

Methods

An immunohistochemical analysis was conducted using tissue microarray samples of 174 primary tumors and 34 metastases of ovarian carcinoma, and the relationships between the protein expression, clinicopathological features and outcomes were investigated.

Results

A reduced E-cadherin expression was observed in 36.8% of the primary tumors and 30.4%, 35.7%, 37.7% and 52.7% of the stage I, II, III and IV tumors, respectively. The nuclear expression of Snail was positive in 33.9% of the primary tumors. The rate of an EMT-positive status, as represented by both a reduced E-cadherin expression and a nuclear expression of Snail, was significantly higher in the patients with peritoneal dissemination than in those without (p < 0.05). The EMT status was significantly associated with both the progression-free survival and overall survival (p <0.01). A multivariate analysis showed an EMT-positive status to be a significant predictor of both the progression-free survival (p < 0.05) and overall survival (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

These data indicate that the EMT status is significantly associated with peritoneal metastasis and both the progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer. Therefore, clarifying and controlling EMT signaling is a promising approach to molecular targeted therapy for ovarian cancer.

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Title: The EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal-transition)-related protein expression indicates the metastatic status and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Masaaki Takai
Yoshito Terai
Hiroshi Kawaguchi
Keisuke Ashihara
Satoe Fujiwara
Tomohito Tanaka
Satoshi Tsunetoh
Yoshimichi Tanaka
Hiroshi Sasaki
Masanori Kanemura
Akiko Tanabe
Masahide Ohmichi
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Ovarian Research / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1757-2215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-2215-7-76

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal-transition)-related protein expression indicates the metastatic status and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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