Expression of chemokine ligand 18 in stage IA low-grade endometrial cancer

Anticancer Res. 2014 Oct;34(10):5331-6.

Abstract

Background/aim: The identification of novel molecules associated with endometrial cancer (EC) development might offer less invasive surgery, better fertility preservation, and avoidance of unnecessary adjuvant therapy.

Materials and methods: Microarray analysis was conducted using fresh surgically-obtained specimens from five EC patients and five cases with benign tumours. Additionally, immunohistochemical studies of the most highly expressed molecules were performed on paraffin-embedded tissues from these patients and others with stage IA, grade 1-2 EC (n=3) with or without (n=7) recurrent disease.

Results: The most highly expressed gene in EC was chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18), with a 35.6-fold change compared to benign tumors. CCL18 expression was observed in tumor cells at the myometrial invasive front in 9 out of 11 tested samples.

Conclusion: CCL18 expression was positively correlated with malignancy in EC. Further investigation with a larger number of samples or examination of serum CCL18 levels is warranted.

Keywords: CCL18; early stage; endometrial cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chemokines, CC / genetics*
  • Chemokines, CC / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Neoplasm Staging

Substances

  • CCL18 protein, human
  • Chemokines, CC