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Ovarian Cancer

Cancer of the ovaries are the second most common group of gynaecologic cancers, and account for about 5% of all women's cancers. There are two main types; (i) epithelial tumours (carcinomas) which account for 90% of ovarian cancers, and (ii) non-epithelial tumours (eg. Stroma cell and germ cell tumours of the ovary). The epithelial ovarian cancers are usually found in women aged over 40, while the non-epithelial tumours are more common in girls and young women. Epithelial ovarian cancer has few early symptoms, a risk factor is having a family history of the disease. Taking the contraceptive pill is known to be protective against ovarian cancer.

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  • PubMed search for publications about Ovarian Cancer - Limit search to: [Reviews]

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    MeSH term: Ovarian Neoplasms
    International US National Library of Medicine
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Latest Research Publications

This list of publications is regularly updated (Source: PubMed).

Vallius T, Hynninen J, Auranen A, et al.
Postoperative human epididymis protein 4 predicts primary therapy outcome in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Tumour Biol. 2017; 39(2):1010428317691189 [PubMed] Related Publications
Primary chemotherapy treatment response monitoring in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is currently based on CT-imaging and serum CA125 values. Serum HE4 profile during first line chemotherapy has not been previously studied. We evaluated the HE4 profile during first line chemotherapy after primary (PDS) and interval debulking surgery (IDS). In total, 49 FIGO stage III/IV EOC patients were included in the study. 22 patients underwent PDS and 27 patients neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by IDS. Serial HE4 and CA125 serum samples were taken during first line chemotherapy. The association of postoperative tumor markers to surgery outcome, primary therapy outcome and progression free survival (PFS) were determined. The lowest HE4 and CA125 values during chemotherapy were compared to primary therapy outcome and PFS. The postoperative HE4 was associated to residual tumor after surgery (p = 0.0001), primary therapy outcome (p = 0.004) and PFS (p = 0.03) in all patients (n = 40). The postoperative CA125 was associated to PFS after IDS (n = 26, p = 0.006), but not after PDS. In multivariate analysis with FIGO stage (III/IV), residual tumor (0/>0) and postoperative CA125, the postoperative HE4 was the only statistically significant prognostic variable predicting PFS. Both HE4 and CA125 nadir corresponded to primary therapy outcome (HE4 p < 0.0001, CA125 p < 0.0001) and PFS (HE4 p = 0.009, CA125 p < 0.0001). HE4 is a promising candidate for EOC response monitoring. In our study, the performance of HE4 in response monitoring of first line chemotherapy was comparable to that of CA125. Of the postoperative values, only HE4 was statistically significantly associated to primary therapy outcome.

Živný JH, Leahomschi S, Klener P, et al.
Comparison of Plasma Osteopontin Levels between Patients with Borderline Ovarian Tumours and Serous Ovarian Carcinoma.
Folia Biol (Praha). 2016; 62(6):258-262 [PubMed] Related Publications
Osteopontin (OPN) is a novel biomarker of various cancers including ovarian carcinoma. OPN is a promising adjunct to a major biomarker of ovarian cancer, CA125, in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis. The aim of our study was to measure the plasma level of OPN and CA125 in patients with borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs), serous ovarian carcinoma, and controls to determine its potential role in the differential diagnosis between serous ovarian carcinoma and BOT. The plasma samples of 66 women were analysed using Luminex technology, designed to simultaneously measure multiple specific protein targets. The mean OPN plasma level for the control group was 23.3 ng/ml; for BOT 26.3 ng/ml; and for patients with serous ovarian carcinoma 59.5 ng/ml. Specifically, there was a significant difference between the OPN levels in patients with ovarian carcinoma and BOT (P < 0.001) as well as controls (P < 0.001). There was no difference between the mean levels of OPN in patients with BOT and the control group (P = 0.286). Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), we determined the utility of OPN and CA125 to differentiate between BOT and serous ovarian carcinoma. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for OPN was 0.793 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.669-0.917, P < 0.001) and for CA125 0.766 (95% CI 0.626-0.907, P = 0.002). Based on our data, we suggest that OPN can be used as a possible differential diagnostic biomarker to distinguish between malignant serous ovarian carcinoma and BOT.

El-Balat A, Sänger N, Karn T, et al.
IMP3 Expression in Borderline Tumors of the Ovary.
Anticancer Res. 2017; 37(2):583-588 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND/AIM: Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) have a less aggressive behavior than invasive epithelial ovarian tumors. Still some patients relapse or succumb to disease. Molecular markers that reliably predict prognosis are lacking. Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein (IMP3) has been suggested as a prognostic marker in colorectal, hepatocellular, and ovarian clear-cell carcinomas.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the expression of IMP3 by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 140 BOT and its association with histopathological features.
RESULTS: We found no association of IMP3 expression with patients' age, FIGO stage, microinvasion, and presence of implants. In contrast, IMP3 expression correlated to mucinous subtype of BOTs (42.2% vs. 9.5% among other subtypes) (p<0.001). IMP3 expression was found to be associated with the presence of in situ carcinoma in MBOT, but not in other subtypes (p=0.021).
CONCLUSION: Expression of IMP3 in BOT is associated with the mucinous subtype and may serve as an early indicator for the development of malignant features.

Saglam O, Xiong Y, Marchion DC, et al.
ERBB4 Expression in Ovarian Serous Carcinoma Resistant to Platinum-Based Therapy.
Cancer Control. 2017; 24(1):89-95 [PubMed] Related Publications
Few data exist on the prognostic and predictive impact of erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4) in ovarian cancer. Thus, we evaluated ERBB4 expression by immunohistochemistry in a tumor microarray consisting of 100 ovarian serous carcinoma specimens (50 complete responses [CRs] and 50 incomplete responses [IRs] to platinum-based therapy), 51 normal tissue controls, and 16 ovarian cancer cell lines. H scores were used to evaluate expression and were semiquantitatively classified into low, intermediate, and high categories. Category frequencies were compared between tumor specimens vs controls using an unpaired t test. Among tumors, category frequencies were compared between CR and IR to chemotherapy. Overall survival (OS) was stratified by category. In total, 74 ovarian serous carcinoma samples (32 CRs and 42 IRs), 28 normal controls, and 16 ovarian cancer cell lines were evaluable. High-level ERBB4 expression was observed at a significantly higher frequency in ovarian serous carcinoma compared with normal control tissue. Among tumor specimens, ERBB4 expression was significantly higher for those with an IR to chemotherapy compared with CR (P = .033). OS was inversely correlated with ERBB4 expression levels. Median rates of OS were 18, 22, and 58 months among high-, intermediate-, and low-expression tumors, respectively. Our results indicate that ERBB4 expression by immunohistochemistry may correlate with chemotherapy-resistant ovarian serous carcinoma and shortened OS.

Zhang LQ, Yang SQ, Wang Y, et al.
Long Noncoding RNA MIR4697HG Promotes Cell Growth and Metastasis in Human Ovarian Cancer.
Anal Cell Pathol (Amst). 2017; 2017:8267863 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Ovarian cancer is one of the three most common gynecological malignant tumors worldwide. The prognosis of patients suffering from this malignancy remains poor because of limited therapeutic strategies. Herein, we investigated the role of a long noncoding RNA named MIR4697 host gene (MIR4697HG) in the cell growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Results showed that the transcriptional level of MIR4697HG in cancerous tissues increased twofold compared with that in adjacent noncancerous tissues. MIR4697HG was differentially expressed in ovarian cancer cell lines, with the highest levels in OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. MIR4697HG knockdown by specific shRNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation in both OVCAR3 and SKOC3 cells. Consistently, in a xenograft model of ovarian cancer, MIR4697HG depletion also significantly restricted tumor volumes and weights. Furthermore, MIR4697HG knockdown inhibited cell migration and invasion capacities. Invasion ability was inhibited by 58% in SKOV3 cells and 40% in OVCAR3 cells, and migration ability was inhibited by 73% in SKOV3 cells and 62% in OVCAR3 cells after MIR4697HG knockdown. MIR4697HG knockdown also caused a decrease in matrix metalloprotease-9, phosphorylated ERK, and phosphorylated AKT. These data suggested that MIR4697HG promoted ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. The aggressive role of MIR4697HG in ovarian cancer may be related to the ERK and AKT signaling pathways.

Makris GM, Pouliakis A, Siristatidis C, et al.
Image analysis and multi-layer perceptron artificial neural networks for the discrimination between benign and malignant endometrial lesions.
Diagn Cytopathol. 2017; 45(3):202-211 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of an Artificial Neural Network based on Multi-Layer Perceptron (ANN-MPL) to discriminate between benign and malignant endometrial nuclei and lesions in cytological specimens.
METHODS: We collected 416 histologically confirmed liquid-based cytological smears from 168 healthy patients, 152 patients with malignancy, 52 with hyperplasia without atypia, 20 with hyperplasia with atypia, and 24 patients with endometrial polyps. The morphometric characteristics of 90 nuclei per case were analyzed using a custom image analysis system; half of them were used to train the MPL-ANN model, which classified each nucleus as benign or malignant. Data from the remaining 50% of cases were used to evaluate the performance and stability of the ANN. The MLP-ANN for the nuclei classification (numeric and percentage classifiers) and the algorithms for the determination of the optimum threshold values were estimated with in-house developed software for the MATLAB v2011b programming environment; the diagnostic accuracy measures were also calculated.
RESULTS: The accuracy of the MPL-ANN model for the classification of endometrial nuclei was 81.33%, while specificity was 88.84% and sensitivity 69.38%. For the case classification based on numeric classifier the overall accuracy was 90.87%, the specificity 93.03% and the sensitivity 87.79%; the indices for the percentage classifier were 95.91%, 93.44%, and 99.42%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Computerized systems based on ANNs can aid the cytological classification of endometrial nuclei and lesions with sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:202-211. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Zhang M, Zhuang G, Sun X, et al.
TP53 mutation-mediated genomic instability induces the evolution of chemoresistance and recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer.
Diagn Pathol. 2017; 12(1):16 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Genomic instability caused by mutation of the checkpoint molecule TP53 may endow cancer cells with the ability to undergo genomic evolution to survive stress and treatment. We attempted to gain insight into the potential contribution of ovarian cancer genomic instability resulted from TP53 mutation to the aberrant expression of multidrug resistance gene MDR1.
METHODS: TP53 mutation status was assessed by performing nucleotide sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Ovarian cancer cell DNA ploidy was determined using Feulgen-stained smears or flow cytometry. DNA copy number was analyzed by performing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
RESULTS: In addition to performing nucleotide sequencing for 5 cases of ovarian cancer, TP53 mutations were analyzed via immunohistochemical staining for P53. Both intensive P53 immunohistochemical staining and complete absence of signal were associated with the occurrence of TP53 mutations. HE staining and the quantification of DNA content indicated a significantly higher proportion of polyploidy and aneuploidy cells in the TP53 mutant group than in the wild-type group (p < 0.05). Moreover, in 161 epithelial ovarian cancer patients, multivariate logistic analysis identified late FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, serous histotype, G3 grade and TP53 mutation as independent risk factors for ovarian cancer recurrence. In relapse patients, the proportion of chemoresistant cases in the TP53 wild-type group was significantly lower than in the mutant group (63.6% vs. 91.8%, p < 0.05). FISH results revealed a higher percentage of cells with >6 MDR1 copies and chromosome 7 amplication in the TP53 mutant group than in the wild-type group [11.7 ± 2.3% vs. 3.0 ± 0.7% and 2.1 ± 0.7% vs. 0.3 ± 0.05%, (p < 0.05), respectively]. And we observed a specific increase of MDR1 and chromosome 7 copy numbers in the TP53 mutant group upon disease regression (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: TP53 mutation-associated genomic instability may promote chromosome 7 accumulation and MDR1 amplification during ovarian cancer chemoresistance and recurrence. Our findings lay the foundation for the development of promising chemotherapeutic approaches to treat aggressive and recurrent ovarian cancer.

Gao W, Zhang Q, Wang Y, et al.
EphB3 protein is associated with histological grade and FIGO stage in ovarian serous carcinomas.
APMIS. 2017; 125(2):122-127 [PubMed] Related Publications
Eph (Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular carcinoma cell) is the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands are involved in embryonic development and physiological processes. Aberrant expression of Eph/ephrin may contribute to a variety of diseases including cancer. EphB3 is a member of Eph receptors and has been found to play roles in carcinogenesis of some types of human cancer. But, its expression and clinical significance in ovarian serous carcinoma have not been well investigated and are unknown. In this study, a set of ovarian tissues including normal fallopian tube, serous borderline tumor, and serous carcinoma were subjected to immunohistochemistry using a specific polyclonal antibody for EphB3. The relationship between EphB3 expression and clinicopathological parameters was statistically analyzed. EphB3 was strongly expressed in all fallopian tube specimens (19/19, 100%). EphB3 was negatively or weekly expressed in 1 of 17 (5.8%) in borderline tumors and 26 of 50 (52.0%) in serous carcinomas, moderately expressed in 7 of 17 (41.2%) in borderline tumors and 14 of 50 (28%) in serous carcinomas, and strongly expressed in 9 17 (52.9%) in borderline tumors and 10 of 50 (20%) in serous carcinomas. EphB3 expression is significantly reduced in serous carcinomas compared with normal fallopian tubes and borderline tumors (p < 0.001). EphB3 expression is negatively associated with histological grade (p < 0.001, rs = -0.613) and FIGO stage (p = 0.001, rs = -0.464) of serous carcinomas. Our results show EphB3 protein lost in ovarian serous carcinoma and is associated with tumor grade and FIGO stage, which indicate EphB3 protein may play a role in carcinogenesis of ovarian serous carcinoma and may be used as a molecular marker for prognosis.

Sander Effron S, Makvandi M, Lin L, et al.
PARP-1 Expression Quantified by [(18)F]FluorThanatrace: A Biomarker of Response to PARP Inhibition Adjuvant to Radiation Therapy.
Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2017; 32(1):9-15 [PubMed] Related Publications
INTRODUCTION: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) is the major target of clinical PARP inhibitors and is a potential predictive biomarker for response to therapy. Due to the limited success of PARP inhibitors as monotherapy, investigators have shifted the clinical role of PARP inhibitors to the adjuvant setting. In this study, we evaluate the radiotracer [(18)F]FluorThanatrace ([(18)F]FTT) as a marker of PARP expression in vitro and the associated biological implications of PARP-1 expression in PARP inhibitor treatment adjuvant to radiation therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: SNU-251 (BRCA1-mutant) and SKOV3 (BRCA1-WT) cell lines were evaluated in vitro by using the radiotracer [(18)F]FTT. Pharmacological binding assays were performed at baseline and were correlated with PARP-1 protein expression measured by Western blot protein analysis. Cell viability and clonogenic assays were used to characterize in vitro cytotoxicity for treatments, including: PARP inhibitors alone, radiation alone, and PARP inhibitor adjuvant to radiation. Western blot protein analysis was used to assess response to treatment by using γH2AX to measure DNA damage and PAR to measure the catalytic inhibition of PARP.
RESULTS: [(18)F]FTT was capable of measuring PARP-1 protein expression in vitro and corresponded to Western blot protein analysis at baseline. The addition of a PARP inhibitor enhanced radiation effects in both cell lines; however, a greater synergy was observed in the SNU-251 cell line that expresses a BRCA1 mutation and homologous recombination deficiency. Western blot protein analysis showed that the addition of a PARP inhibitor adjuvant to radiation increases DNA damage in both cell lines and reduces PARP enzymatic activity as measured by PAR.
CONCLUSIONS: In this work, we found that PARP-1 expression positively corresponds in vitro to the response of PARP inhibitors in combination with radiation therapy in ovarian cancer.

Lu J, Xu Y, Wei X, et al.
Emodin Inhibits the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells via ILK/GSK-3β/Slug Signaling Pathway.
Biomed Res Int. 2016; 2016:6253280 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Despite the anticancer capabilities of emodin observed in many cancers, including EOC, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. A crucial link has been discovered between the acquisition of metastatic traits and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The present study aimed to determine whether emodin could inhibit the EMT of EOC cells and explore the underlying mechanism. The CCK-8 assay and transwell assay showed that emodin effectively repressed the abilities of proliferation, invasion, and migration in A2780 and SK-OV-3 cells. The Western blot showed that emodin upregulated epithelial markers (E-cadherin and Claudin) while it downregulated mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and Vimentin) and transcription factor (Slug) in a dose-dependent fashion. After transfection of siRNA-Slug, both Slug and N-cadherin were downregulated in EOC cells while E-cadherin was upregulated, which was intensified by emodin. Besides, emodin decreased the expression of ILK, p-GSK-3β, β-catenin, and Slug. Transfection of siRNA-ILK also achieved the same effects, which was further strengthened by following emodin treatment. Nevertheless, SB216763, an inhibitor of GSK-3β, could reverse the effects of emodin except for ILK expression. These findings suggest that emodin inhibited the EMT of EOC cells via ILK/GSK-3β/Slug signaling pathway.

Dean E, Khoja L, Clamp A, et al.
Malignant bowel obstruction in advanced ovarian cancer.
Future Oncol. 2017; 13(6):513-521 [PubMed] Related Publications
AIM: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) in ovarian cancer is poorly understood.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 129 patients with ovarian cancer and MBO.
RESULTS: At presentation, 69 (53%) had platinum-resistant, 37 (29%) platinum-sensitive and 23 (18%) chemotherapy-naive disease. In patients receiving chemotherapy following the MBO episode, median overall survival (OS) was 107 days for chemotherapy-naive patients compared with 83 and 86 for platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant patients (p = 0.98). OS was inferior for best supportive care (45 days) compared with chemotherapy (152 days) or surgery (124 days; p < 0.001). The Manchester Bowel Obstruction Score using Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and obstruction level discriminated patients by median OS of 181 days (neither) versus 98 days (one) versus 42 days (both; p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: The Manchester Bowel Obstruction Score may aide treatment stratification.

Qu CP, Sun GX, Yang SQ, et al.
Toxicities of different first-line chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: A network meta-analysis.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2017; 96(2):e5797 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the 5th leading cause of cancer-related deaths around the world, and several chemotherapy regimens have been applied in the treatment of OC. We aim to compare toxicities of different chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) using network meta-analysis.
METHODS: Literature research in Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE was performed up to November 2015. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of different chemotherapy regimens were included. Network meta-analysis combined direct and indirect evidence to assess pooled odds ratios (ORs) and draw the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curves.
RESULTS: Thirteen eligible RCTs were included in this network meta-analysis, including 8 chemotherapy regimens (paclitaxel + carboplatin [PC], pegylated liposomal doxorubicin [PLD] + carboplatin, carboplatin, gemcitabine + carboplatin, paclitaxel, PC + epirubicin, PC + topotecan, docetaxel + carboplatin). Gemcitabine + carboplatin regimen exerted higher incidence of anemia when compared with carboplatin and paclitaxel regimens. The incidence of febrile neutropenia of gemcitabine + carboplatin regimen was higher than that of PC, PLD + carboplatin, carboplatin, and PC + topotecan regimens. Topotecan PC + epirubicin regimen had a higher toxicity, comparing with PC, PLD + carboplatin, and PC + topotecan regimens. As for thrombocytopenia, gemcitabine + carboplatin chemotherapy regimen produced an obviously higher toxicity than PC and carboplatin. As for nausea, PLD + carboplatin chemotherapy regimen had a significantly higher toxicity than that of carboplatin chemotherapy regimen. Moreover, when compared with PC and carboplatin chemotherapy regimens, the toxicity of PC + epirubicin was greatly higher to patients with AOC.
CONCLUSION: The nonhematologic toxicity of PLD + carboplatin regimen was higher than other regimens, which was clinically significant for the treatment of AOC.

Cacan E
Epigenetic-mediated immune suppression of positive co-stimulatory molecules in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells.
Cell Biol Int. 2017; 41(3):328-339 [PubMed] Related Publications
The immunological response against cancer is a critical balance between immune-activating and immune-suppressing mechanisms. Ovarian cancer creates a suppressive microenvironment to escape immune elimination; however, the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood, and it is unclear whether chemotherapeutic drugs exert an immunoreactive or immunosuppressive effect on the tumor microenvironment. 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL/CD157) and OX-40 ligand (OX-40L/CD252) are important regulators of effector cytotoxic T-cells activity. This study demonstrates that expression of positive co-stimulatory molecules, OX-40L and 4-1BBL, is suppressed while expression of immunosuppressive molecule programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1/CD274) is enhanced in chemoresistant cells compared to parental chemosensitive ovarian cancer cells. Here, the molecular mechanisms of silencing of OX-40L and 4-1BBL expression were investigated in chemoresistant A2780-AD ovarian cancer cells. The suppression of OX-40L and 4-1BBL are due to DNA hypermethylation and histone deacetylation, two important mechanisms that contribute to gene silencing during cancer progression. We identify important epigenetic regulators, histone deacetylase 1/3 (HDAC1/HDAC3) and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), that exhibit aberrant association with OX-40L and 4-1BBL promoters in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells. Knockdown of HDAC1 or DNMT1 expression, and pharmacological inhibition of DNMT or HDAC enzymatic activity, significantly increase OX-40L and 4-1BBL expression in chemoresistant cells. This study suggests that loss of histone acetylation and accumulation of DNA methylation correlates with suppressed expression of OX-40L and 4-1BBL in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells. This study marks the first report of the regulation of these two molecules by histone deacetylation and DNA methylation in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells.

Akbarzadeh M, Rahbarghazi R, Nabat E, et al.
The impact of different extracellular matrices on melatonin effect in proliferation and stemness properties of ovarian cancer cells.
Biomed Pharmacother. 2017; 87:288-295 [PubMed] Related Publications
AIM: Endogenous melatonin has numerous physiological roles on modulating the function of different organs. Recent studies revealed oncostatic and protective effects of this molecule on tumor development. In this study, we examined the impact of melatonin and key underlying mechanisms on stemness, morphology, invasiveness and viability of SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells in different types of extracellular matrix.
METHODS: Cell viability was evaluated by MTT Assay. Colony-forming assay was performed by seeding 4×10(3) cells on different matrices in six well-plate. The percentage of cancer stem like cells was determined by flow cytometric assay after applying antibodies against stemness markers, CD133 and CD44. Different types of extracellular matrix including fibronectin, gelatin, collagen and matrigel were applied to incubate the cells in the presence of melatonin. Downstream gene expressions including VEGF and E-cadherin were determined by Real-time PCR.
RESULTS: Melatonin (0.1mM) decreased the percentage of viable cells up to 61.79±8.2% (p<0.05). Colony formation assay revealed the significant impact of melatonin in inhibition of colony formation in these cells. The maximum effect was shown in the cells incubated with melatonin on gelatin (p<0.05). Identification of stemness markers showed that applying matrigel caused significant increase in the percentage of cancer stem like cells compared to other types of extracellular matrix (p<0.05). However melatonin slightly diminished the number of stem cell like cells in all incubated matrices. Our results from gene expression assays revealed that melatonin induced a marked increase in E-cadherin along with decrease in VEGF expression levels (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that interaction between ovarian cancer cells and neighboring matrices determines the subsequent anti invasive activities of melatonin.

Piotrowska-Kempisty H, Klupczyńska A, Trzybulska D, et al.
Role of CYP1A1 in the biological activity of methylated resveratrol analogue, 3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-212) in ovarian cancer A-2780 and non-cancerous HOSE cells.
Toxicol Lett. 2017; 267:59-66 [PubMed] Related Publications
The role of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzymes in the biotransformation and biological activity of the methylated resveratrol analogue, 3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-212) is still elusive. Our recently published data have shown that one of the metabolites of DMU-212, 3'-hydroxy-3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-214) exerts more potent cytotoxic effects in A-2780 ovarian cancer cell line, as compared to the parent compound. Hence, this study aims to elucidate whether the biological activity of DMU-212 is related to its biotransformation to DMU-214. Furthermore, we aimed to assess which enzymes of CYP1 family are involved in the biotransformation of DMU-212. The human ovarian cancer cell lines A-2780, A-2780CYP1A1(-) and non-cancerous human ovarian surface epithelial (HOSE) cells were employed in the present study. In contrary to other authors' suggestions we have found that CYP1A1 is the major enzyme of CYP1 family involved in the metabolic activation of DMU-212. Since the distinctly weaker anti-proliferative effects of DMU-212 against HOSE and A-2780CYP1A1(-) cells have been associated with the lack of the expression of CYP1A1, we suggest that the biological activity of the parent compound may be related to its metabolic activation to DMU-214 and the level of this enzyme.

Chang C, Liu T, Huang Y, et al.
MicroRNA-134-3p is a novel potential inhibitor of human ovarian cancer stem cells by targeting RAB27A.
Gene. 2017; 605:99-107 [PubMed] Related Publications
The cluster of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the DLK1-DIO3 genomic imprinted region contains several miRNAs that have a significant regulatory role in tumor proliferation and invasion. One of these miRNAs is miR-134-3p, and its expression changes significantly in human ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) and in CD44-/CD133- ovarian cancer. The results of a luciferase assay showed that miR-134-3p silenced RAB27A by binding to the 3'-UTR of RAB27A mRNA. Overexpression of miR-134-3p in human OCSCs can not only inhibit the expression of RAB27A but also can effectively downregulate the expression of some tumor proliferation and invasion genes. Overexpression of miR-134-3p can not only inhibit the in vitro proliferation and cell cycle progression of human OCSCs but also can decrease the tumorigenicity in nude mice.

Cruz IN, Coley HM, Kramer HB, et al.
Proteomics Analysis of Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines and Tissues Reveals Drug Resistance-associated Proteins.
Cancer Genomics Proteomics. 2017; 14(1):35-51 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Carboplatin and paclitaxel form the cornerstone of chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer, however, drug resistance to these agents continues to present challenges. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms underlying this resistance remain unclear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 2D-gel proteomics method was used to analyze protein expression levels of three human ovarian cancer cell lines and five biopsy samples. Representative proteins identified were validated via western immunoblotting. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed metabolomic pathway changes.
RESULTS: A total of 189 proteins were identified with restricted criteria. Combined treatment targeting the proteasome-ubiquitin pathway resulted in re-sensitisation of drug-resistant cells. In addition, examination of five surgical biopsies of ovarian tissues revealed α-enolase (ENOA), elongation factor Tu, mitochondrial (EFTU), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3P), stress-70 protein, mitochondrial (GRP75), apolipoprotein A-1 (APOA1), peroxiredoxin (PRDX2) and annexin A (ANXA) as candidate biomarkers of drug-resistant disease.
CONCLUSION: Proteomics combined with pathway analysis provided information for an effective combined treatment approach overcoming drug resistance. Analysis of cell lines and tissues revealed potential prognostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer.

Jones NL, Schulkin J, Urban RR, et al.
Physicians' Perspectives and Practice Patterns Toward Opportunistic Salpingectomy in High- and Low-Risk Women.
Cancer Invest. 2017; 35(1):51-61 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy (OBS) has been proposed as an ovarian cancer risk-reducing strategy.
METHODS: A survey was emailed to 300 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
RESULTS: 125 (42%) surveys were returned: 60% female, 88% generalists, 67% private practice. Only 36% correctly identified the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, only 23% understood the risk-reducing benefit of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. 75% perform salpingectomy during hysterectomy, 26-53% use for sterilization depending on approach. Concerns were increased operative time and complications. For BRCA mutations, 64% recommend BSO, 12% recommend a two-step risk-reducing strategy, and 14% refer to gynecologic oncology.
CONCLUSIONS: We identified broad support and factors limiting willingness to perform OBS.

Fan XM, Zhang J, Niu SH, et al.
Secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: A prognostic analysis with 103 cases.
Int J Surg. 2017; 38:61-66 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Due to satisfactory cytoreductive surgery combined with platinum-based chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian cancer has improved greatly, however, the relapse rate also high. In current study, we analyzed prognostic factors related to secondary cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.
METHODS: Clinical and follow-up data from 103 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who received secondary cytoreductive surgery and were admitted to our hospital between January 2000 and December 2008 were analyzed.
RESULTS: Median survival after recurrence (RS) after the first relapse for the 103 patients was 36 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 60 months. Patients without visible residual tumors after secondary cytoreductive surgery had longer RS and OS compared to those with residual tumors ≥1 cm. The RS and OS of patients without visible residual tumors after secondary cytoreductive surgery were not significantly different compared to those with residual tumors between 0.1 and 1 cm. Patients with disease free interval (DFI) ≥ 12 months at secondary cytoreductive surgery had longer RS and OS compared to those with DFI < 12 months. Patients with one recurrent lesion had longer RS and OS compared to those with more than one lesion.
CONCLUSIONS: Residual tumor at secondary cytoreductive surgery, DFI and number of lesions were independent prognostic factors for secondary cytoreductive surgery in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients with DFI ≥12 months and a single lesion had better prognosis for achieving satisfactory cytoreduction, especially the absence of visible residual tumors.

Hauptmann S, Friedrich K, Redline R, Avril S
Ovarian borderline tumors in the 2014 WHO classification: evolving concepts and diagnostic criteria.
Virchows Arch. 2017; 470(2):125-142 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Borderline ovarian tumors (BOT) are uncommon but not rare epithelial ovarian neoplasms, intermediate between benign and malignant categories. Since BOT were first identified >40 years ago, they have inspired controversies disproportionate to their incidence. This review discusses diagnostic criteria for the histologic subtypes of BOT, highlighting areas of diagnostic challenges, ongoing controversies, and changes in terminology implemented by the recent 2014 WHO Classification of Tumours of the Female Genital Organs. Emerging knowledge supports the notion that subtypes of borderline ovarian tumors comprise distinct biologic, pathogenetic, and molecular entities, precluding a single unifying concept for BOT. Serous borderline tumors (SBT) share molecular and genetic alterations with low-grade serous carcinomas and can present at higher stages with peritoneal implants and/or lymph node involvement, which validates their borderline malignant potential. All other (non-serous) subtypes of BOT commonly present at stage I confined to the ovary(ies) and are associated with overall survival approaching that of the general population. An important change in the WHO 2014 classification is the new terminology of non-invasive implants associated with SBT, as any invasive foci (previously called "invasive implants") are now in line with their biological behavior considered peritoneal low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC). The controversy regarding the terminology of non-serous borderline tumors, called by some pathologists "atypical proliferative tumor" in view of their largely benign behavior, has not been resolved. The concepts of intraepithelial carcinoma and microinvasion may evolve in further studies, as their presence appears to have no prognostic impact and is subject to considerable inter-observer variability.

Wang F, Du X, Li X, et al.
Effects of sequential paclitaxel-carboplatin followed by gemcitabine-based chemotherapy compared with paclitaxel-carboplatin therapy administered to patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: A retrospective, STROBE-compliant study.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2016; 95(51):e5696 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
We aimed to compare the efficacy of paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by gemcitabine-based combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel-carboplatin for treating advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in this retrospective, STROBE-compliant study. Patients' tolerance to treatment was also assessed.We retrospectively analyzed the records of 178 women who underwent initial optimal debulking surgery between January 2003 and December 2011 to treat FIGO stage IIIc epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients in arm 1 (n = 88) received 4 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by 2 to 4 cycles of gemcitabine-based combination chemotherapy. Patients in arm 2 (n = 90) received 6 to 8 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin. The granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was administered prophylactically to all patients.The median follow-up for both arms was 62 months. Medianprogression-free survival (PFS) between arms 1 and 2 (28 and 19 months [P = 0.003]) as well as 5-year OS (34.1% and 18.9% [P = 0.021]) differed significantly. The neurotoxicity rate was significantly higher in arm 2 than in arm 1 (45.2% vs 27.1%, P = 0.026). There was no significant difference between study arms in hematological toxicity.The sequential regimen significantly improved PFS and 5-year OS with tolerable toxicity compared with the single regimen, and offers an alternative for treating patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Zhu Y, Chen Y, Huang Z, Liu L
Unsuspected Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Revealed by 18F-NaF PET/CT Performed to Evaluate Lower-Back Pain.
Clin Nucl Med. 2017; 42(2):154-156 [PubMed] Related Publications
A 59-year-old woman with back pain underwent an F-NaF PET/CT bone scan. Unexpectedly, multiple foci of increased tracer uptake were present in the abdomen and pelvis, which corresponded to the calcified soft tissue masses. The subsequent F-FDG PET/CT not only confirmed increased FDG activity in these partially calcified mass but also revealed abnormal activity in noncalcified lesions. The pathological examination demonstrated that the patient had ovarian cancer.

Chen HY, Wang Q, Xu QH, et al.
Statin as a Combined Therapy for Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.
Biomed Res Int. 2016; 2016:9125238 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Background. Despite the great achievements in the treatment of advanced-stage ovarian cancer, it is still a severe condition with an unfavorable 5-year survival rate. Statins have been suggested to reduce the risk of several cancers beyond their cholesterol-lowing effects. However, the prognostic significance of statins in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer remains controversial. Methods. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the association between statin intake and overall survival (OS) among patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery followed by courses of intravenous chemotherapy were matched through a propensity score analysis. Results. A total of 60 propensity-matched patients were included. Women in statin group showed a similar OS than the nonstatin counterparts (P = 0.966), whereas residual tumor was significantly associated with better OS (P = 0.013) and was an independent factor that associated with OS (P = 0.002, hazard ratio = 5.460, and 95% confidence interval: 1.894 to 15.742) in multivariable analysis. Conclusions. Our results suggested that statin usage was not associated with improved OS in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. Considering the retrospective nature and the relative small sample size of the study, further prospective studies and random control trials are needed.

Pattanayak P, Solnes LB
Paraneoplastic Syndrome With Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis Associated With Ovarian Teratomas.
Clin Nucl Med. 2017; 42(2):e128-e129 [PubMed] Related Publications
We report on a 33-year-old woman who had a paraneoplastic syndrome with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis, associated with ovarian teratomas. She presented with acute onset seizures, grandiosity, elevated mood, disorganized thoughts, and paranoia. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis revealed anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies. A PET/CT was requested, which identified a possible fat and calcification containing right adnexal lesion on the noncontrast CT portion, which was suspicious for a teratoma. Subsequent ultrasound revealed bilateral masses consistent with teratomas. She underwent laparoscopic removal of these masses, which were both confirmed to be mature cystic teratomas on pathology. After surgery, her symptoms progressively improved.

Li X, Zhou Y, Liu Y, et al.
Preclinical Efficacy and Safety Assessment of Artemisinin-Chemotherapeutic Agent Conjugates for Ovarian Cancer.
EBioMedicine. 2016; 14:44-54 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Artemisinin (ARS) and its derivatives, which are clinically used antimalarial agents, have shown antitumor activities. Their therapeutic potencies, however, are limited by their low solubility and poor bioavailability. Here, through a pharmacophore hybridization strategy, we synthesized ARS-drug conjugates, in which the marketed chemotherapeutic agents chlorambucil, melphalan, flutamide, aminoglutethimide, and doxifluridine, were separately bonded to Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) through various linkages. Of these, the artemisinin-melphalan conjugate, ARS4, exhibited most toxicity to human ovarian cancer cells but had low cytotoxicity to normal cells. ARS4 inhibited the growth and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and resulted in S-phase arrest, apoptosis, and inhibition of migration; these effects were stronger than those of its parent drugs, DHA and melphalan. Furthermore, ARS4 modulated the expression of proteins involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, in mice, ARS4 inhibited growth and intraperitoneal dissemination and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells without observable toxic effects. Our results provide a basis for development of the compound as a chemotherapeutic agent.
RESEARCH IN CONTEXT: Artemisinin compounds have recently received attention as anticancer agents because of their clinical safety profiles and broad efficacy. However, their therapeutic potencies are limited by low solubility and poor bioavailability. Here, we report that ARS4, an artemisinin-melphalan conjugate, possesses marked in-vitro and in-vivo antitumor activity against ovarian cancer, the effects of which are stronger than those for its parent drugs, Dihydroartemisinin and melphalan. In mice, ARS4 inhibits localized growth of ovarian cancer cells and intraperitoneal dissemination and metastasis without appreciable host toxicity. Thus, for patients with ovarian cancer, ARS4 is a promising chemotherapeutic agent.

Yu Y, Xie Q, Liu W, et al.
Increased intracellular Ca(2+) decreases cisplatin resistance by regulating iNOS expression in human ovarian cancer cells.
Biomed Pharmacother. 2017; 86:8-15 [PubMed] Related Publications
Previous studies have reported that intracellular Ca(2+) signals and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are involved in cell apoptosis. However, the role of iNOS in cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SKOV3/DDP ovarian cancer cells were more resistant to cisplatin than were SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. The expression of intracellular Ca(2+) and iNOS was more strongly induced by cisplatin in SKOV3 cells than in SKOV3/DDP cells. TAT-conjugated IP3R-derived peptide (TAT-IDP(S)) increased cisplatin-induced iNOS expression and apoptosis in SKOV3/DDP cells. 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) decreased cisplatin-induced iNOS expression and apoptosis in SKOV3 cells. Thus, iNOS induction may be a valuable strategy for improving the anti-tumor efficacy of cisplatin in ovarian cancer.

Kassem L, Abdel-Rahman O
Targeting mTOR pathway in gynecological malignancies: Biological rationale and systematic review of published data.
Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2016; 108:1-12 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: mTOR inhibitors are widely used in different malignancies with several trials testing their efficacy and safety in gynecological malignancies. We aimed to review the current evidence that support the expansion of using such drugs in the treatment of advanced gynecological cancers.
METHODS: A comprehensive systematic review of literature has been conducted to include prospective trials that used everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus in the management of gynecological cancers and have available efficacy and toxicity results.
RESULTS: A total of 23 studies including 980 patients were considered eligible for our review. Our review included 16 phase II and 7 phase I studies with the majority of patients having uterine cancers. Regarding Endometrial cancer, the CBR ranged from 21% to 60% and median PFS from 2.8 months to 7.3 months. In Ovarian cancers, CBR ranged from 24% to 50% and median PFS from 3.2 months to 5.9 months. In the single phase II study in cervical cancer the CBR was 61% and median PFS was 3.5 months. The toxicity profile was consistent with what was observed previously in other malignancies with fatigue, mucositis, and hematological toxicities being the most common adverse events observed.
CONCLUSION: mTOR inhibitors seem to be a promising option in the second line management of advanced gynecological cancers with best safety and efficacy outcomes when given as a single agent or in combination with hormonal treatment. More research is needed for better patient selection.

Cui Y, She K, Tian D, et al.
miR-146a Inhibits Proliferation and Enhances Chemosensitivity in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer via Reduction of SOD2.
Oncol Res. 2016; 23(6):275-282 [PubMed] Related Publications
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, accounting for 90% of all ovarian cancer. Dysregulation of miRNAs is associated with several types of EOC. In the current research, we aimed to study the role of abnormal expression of miR-146a in the development of EOC and to elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms. Compared with control samples, mRNA expression of miR-146a was significantly decreased in EOC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-146a prohibited cell proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs in EOC cells. In contrast, downregulation of miR-146a promoted cell proliferation, suppressed apoptosis, and decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs in EOC cells. Overexpression of miR-146a increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and decreased SOD2 mRNA and protein expression. Downregulation of miR-146a increased SOD2 mRNA and protein expression. Overexpression of SOD2 significantly inhibited miR-146a mimics-induced suppression of cell proliferation and the increase of apoptosis and chemosensitivity. In conclusion, we identify miR-146a as a potential tumor suppressor in patients with EOC. miR-146a downregulates the expression of SOD2 and enhances ROS generation, leading to increased apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation, and enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy. The data demonstrate that the miR-146a/SOD2/ROS pathway may serve as a novel therapeutic target and prognostic marker in patients with EOC.

Lu M, Miao Y, Qi L, et al.
RNAi-Mediated Downregulation of FKBP14 Suppresses the Growth of Human Ovarian Cancer Cells.
Oncol Res. 2016; 23(6):267-274 [PubMed] Related Publications
FKBP14 belongs to the family of FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs). Altered expression of FKBPs has been reported in several malignancies. This study aimed to reveal the expression profile of FKBP14 in ovarian cancer and evaluate whether FKBP14 is a molecular target for cancer therapy. We found that the FKBP14 mRNA level was significantly higher in ovarian cancer tissues than in normal tissues. FKBP14 expression was then knocked down in two ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV3 and HO8910 cells, by a lentiviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) delivery system. Reduced expression of FKBP14 markedly impaired the proliferative ability of ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, ovarian cancer cells infected with FKBP14 shRNA lentivirus tended to arrest in the G0/G1 phase and undergo apoptosis. Moreover, knockdown of FKBP14 induced cell apoptosis via increasing the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. These results indicated that FKBP14 might be a diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer and could be a potential molecular target for the therapy of ovarian cancer.

Nakamoto R, Nakamoto Y, Ishimori T, et al.
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate-Receptor Encephalitis Associated With an Immature Teratoma.
Clin Nucl Med. 2017; 42(2):157-160 [PubMed] Related Publications
We report a case of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis associated with an immature teratoma developed in a 38-year-old woman. Positron emission tomography (PET) revealed focal intense uptake of F-fluorodeoxyglucose in an area of the brain corresponding to the right medial temporal lobe as well as an intrapelvic tumor. After the PET examination, the patient complained of disorientation and short-term memory loss. The ovarian tumor was resected and diagnosed as an immature teratoma. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis was positive for anti-NMDAR antibody. After surgery, the patient's neurologic symptoms improved. The PET finding of encephalitis associated with an immature teratoma was unexpected.

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