Molecular genetic alterations in endometrioid carcinomas of the ovary: similar frequency of beta-catenin abnormalities but lower rate of microsatellite instability and PTEN alterations than in uterine endometrioid carcinomas

Hum Pathol. 2004 Nov;35(11):1360-8. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2004.07.019.

Abstract

Endometrioid carcinomas of the ovary closely resemble their uterine counterparts. It has been suggested that the former tumors have the same molecular alterations (microsatellite instability [MSI], PTEN, and beta-catenin) described in endometrioid carcinomas of the uterus. We analyzed 55 ovarian carcinomas, including 22 endometrioid, 18 clear cell, and 15 mixed types. MSI was detected in 5 of 39 cases (13%). MLH1 promoter hypermethylation was identified in 2 of the 5 MSI-positive tumors. PTEN was mutated in 5 of 54 cases (9%); of these, 3 had MSI and exhibited frameshift mutations in short-coding mononucleotide repeats. Beta-catenin nuclear expression was detected in 11 of 54 cases (20%) by immunostaining; of these, 7 exhibited CTNNB1 gene mutations. These alterations were found more frequently in endometrioid carcinomas than in tumors of the other 2 groups. Among the former tumors, MSI was detected in 3 of 17 cases (17.5%); PTEN mutations, in 3 of 21 (14%); and beta-catenin, in 8 of 21 (38%). The molecular alterations were found more often in tumors associated with endometriosis than in tumors without endometriosis. Six endometrioid tumors demonstrating matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) immunoreactivity with nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin had good outcomes, in contrast to poor outcomes in 7 of 9 predominantly nonendometrioid tumors demonstrating expression of MMP-7 only. We found a similar frequency of beta-catenin abnormalities but lower rates of MSI and PTEN alterations than in uterine endometrioid carcinomas. Alterations in beta-catenin and PTEN genes, as well as MSI, are frequent in low-stage ovarian carcinomas of endometrioid type that have a favorable prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Base Sequence
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / pathology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Genomic Instability
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / mortality
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / genetics*
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Survival Rate
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Uterine Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human