Abstract
Aims: To determine expression of p53, HER-2/neu and p27Kip1 in serous Fallopian tube carcinoma (FTC) in relation to stage and grade, and to investigate DNA copy number changes of HER-2 and P27KIP1 as a potential mechanism of altered expression status. Methods and results: Immunohistochemistry was performed on 28 serous FTCs and 10 normal Fallopian tubes. p53 protein accumulated and p27Kip1 was down-regulated significantly in early-stage FTCs compared with normal Fallopian tubes. HER-2/neu overexpression was absent in normal Fallopian tubes and in all stage I FTCs (n = 6) but present in 57% (12/21) of advanced-stage FTCs. No differences in expression between grade 2 and 3 tumours were detected. HER-2 gain/amplification was found by array comparative genomic hybridization in 23% (3/13) of analysed FTCs and all showed overexpression. HER-2/neu overexpression also occurred without DNA copy number changes in three other cases. For p27 Kip1, expression and DNA copy number were unrelated. Conclusions: p53 accumulation and p27Kip1 down-regulation seem to be early events in Fallopian tube carcinogenesis. HER-2/neu showed overexpression, caused by gain/amplification in 50%, and may be involved in progression of FTC. These data contribute to a better understanding of the molecular carcinogenesis of FTC and to possible new therapeutic approaches.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 666-673 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Histopathology |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Array comparative genomic hybridization
- Carcinogenesis
- Fallopian tube carcinoma
- HER-2/neu
- Immunohistochemistry
- Ovarian carcinoma
- p27
- p53
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Histology