IMP3 Expression in Borderline Tumors of the Ovary

Anticancer Res. 2017 Feb;37(2):583-588. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.11351.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Ovarian cancer; borderline tumors; histological subtypes; prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / pathology
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / metabolism
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • IGF2BP3 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins