Expression Of The Ingredients In The Wnt Signaling Pathway In Epithelial Ovarian Tumors And Significance

Objectives: To analyze the expression of β-catenin, E-cadherin and APC,components of the Wnt signal pathway in the ovarian tumors and their clinicalsignificance, and to investigate the role of Wnt signal pathway in ovarianoncogenesis.Methods: Expression of β -catenin, E-cadherin, APC was detected withimmunohistochemistry assay in 75 specimens of ovarian tumors, including 24 casesof serous cystic adenocarcinoma, 15 mucous cystic adenocarcinoma, 10 endometrioidcarcinoma, 10 marginal ovarian tumor, 16 benign ovarian tumor.Results:1) The rate of abnormal β -catenin expression was higher in ovarian carcinomas than in benign tumors, with statistical significance. The expression pattern of β -catenin was associated with histological subtypes, differentiation stages and peritoneal metastasis( P <0.05).2) The rate of abnormal E-cadherin expression was higher in ovarian cancers than in benign tumors, with statistical significance. The expression pattern of E-cadherin was associated with histological subtypes, FIGO stages, peritoneal metastasis, and residual size (P <0.05).3) A significant positive association was recognized between expression pattern of β -catenin and E-cadherin (P <0.01).4) APC was expressed at high levels in benign tumors, but absent or at lower levels in malignant tissues, with statistic significance (P <0.05). However, no significant difference was recognized between malignant and marginal tumors(P>0.05).5) The absence of APC was often accompanied with the abnormal β -catenin, but without statistic significance (P >0.05).6) Nuclear expression of β -catenin was seen in 2 specimens of endometrioid carcinoma, but with positive expression of APC.Conclusion:1) β -catenin and E-cadherin are abnormally expressed during the onset and...