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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

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Open Access 01-09-2021 | Ovarian Cancer | Original Article – Cancer Research

Expression of estrogen-related receptors in ovarian cancer and impact on survival

Authors: Susanne Schüler-Toprak, Florian Weber, Maciej Skrzypczak, Olaf Ortmann, Oliver Treeck

Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology | Issue 9/2021

Abstract

Purpose

This study further approaches the role of estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) in ovarian cancer. Protein expression of ERRα, ERRβ and ERRγ in ovarian cancer was assessed and was correlated with ovarian cancer markers, steroid hormone receptors and cancer-associated genes. Additionally, we examined to what extent expression of ERRs affects survival of ovarian cancer patients.

Methods

For this purpose, we established a tissue microarray from 208 ovarian cancer patients and performed immunohistochemical analyses of the mentioned proteins.

Results

ERRα and ERRγ protein could be detected at different levels in more than 90% of all ovarian cancer tissues, whereas expression of ERRβ was observed in 82.2% of the cases. ERRα was found to positively correlate with ovarian cancer marker CEA (p < 0.005) and ERRγ correlated with ERα (p < 0.001). Univariate survival analyses revealed that ERRα expression did not affect overall (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) of ovarian cancer patients. In contrast, higher expression of ERRβ in serous ovarian cancers was found to lead to a significantly decreased OS (p < 0.05). The strongest impact on survival was exhibited by ERRγ. Lower expression of this receptor in women with serous ovarian cancers indicated significantly increased OS compared to those with higher levels of ERRγ (p < 0.05). Multivariate survival analyses revealed ERRγ as an independent prognostic marker regarding OS of patients with serous ovarian cancer.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrating that ERR proteins are frequently expressed in ovarian cancer and high levels of ERRβ and ERRγ significantly decreased OS of serous ovarian cancer patients suggest that these proteins might be interesting therapy targets in this cancer entity.

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Title: Expression of estrogen-related receptors in ovarian cancer and impact on survival
Authors: Susanne Schüler-Toprak
Florian Weber
Maciej Skrzypczak
Olaf Ortmann
Oliver Treeck
Publication date: 01-09-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Estrogens
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology / Issue 9/2021
Print ISSN: 0171-5216
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1335
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-021-03673-9

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