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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Validity and prognostic significance of sperm protein 17 as a tumor biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective study

Authors: Laurie L. Brunette, Paulette Y. Mhawech-Fauceglia, Lingyun Ji, Joseph G. Skeate, Heike E. Brand, Kate Lawrenson, Saloni Walia, Maurizio Chiriva-Internati, Susan Groshen, Lynda D. Roman, W. Martin Kast, Diane M. Da Silva

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Prior small studies have shown increased expression of sperm protein 17 (Sp17) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissue and suggest Sp17 as a potential biomarker for EOC. However, how Sp17 expression varies with histology, grade, and stage of EOC and its expression in other ovarian neoplasms has not been defined. It is unknown whether patients with EOC have elevated serum Sp17 levels or if Sp17 expression is associated with survival outcomes.

Methods

The study included 982 patients with benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian neoplasms and normal ovary. There were 878 patients with tissue only, 39 with serum only, and 65 with matching serum and tissue. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with anti-Sp17 antibody was performed on tissue specimens and the intensity scored as weak, moderate, or strong. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure Sp17 sera concentrations.

Results

Sp17 expression was most commonly seen in serous cystadenomas (83%) and serous borderline tumors (100%). Of the 773 EOC specimens, 223 (30%) expressed Sp17. Grade and histology were significantly associated with Sp17 expression among EOC specimens (p < 0.001) on both univariate and multivariable analysis, with grade 1 serous adenocarcinomas showing the highest expression (51%). Sp17 expression was limited in other benign and non-epithelial malignant neoplasms. Neither Sp17 tissue expression nor serum concentration correlated with survival outcomes. Serum concentrations were higher in patients with Sp17 tissue expression, and the highest concentrations were noted among patients with serous and clear cell adenocarcinomas.

Conclusions

Sp17 is highly expressed in benign, borderline, and low grade malignant serous ovarian neoplasms and can be quantified in serum. Sp17 expression may have diagnostic significance in this subset of patients.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Validity and prognostic significance of sperm protein 17 as a tumor biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective study
Authors
Laurie L. Brunette
Paulette Y. Mhawech-Fauceglia
Lingyun Ji
Joseph G. Skeate
Heike E. Brand
Kate Lawrenson
Saloni Walia
Maurizio Chiriva-Internati
Susan Groshen
Lynda D. Roman
W. Martin Kast
Diane M. Da Silva
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-018-4880-x

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