Biomedical subjects

I Konishi

Publications and source records attributed to I Konishi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) inhibits cisplatin-induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells: possible role of up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 by hCG.

Gonadotropins have been suggested to play a role in the development or progression of ovarian cancer, and we have previously reported the expression of luteinizing hormone/ human chorionic gonadotropin (LH/hCG) receptor in 40% of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. To examine the biological effect of LH/hCG on ovarian cancer cells, apoptosis induced by cisplatin with or without hCG treatment was investigated in 2 ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3. Stimulation of cell proliferation by hCG was also studied. In addition, to analyze further the mechanism of hCG signaling involved in apoptosis-inhibition, we examined the expression of LH/hCG receptors and the regulation by hCG for apoptosis-inhibitory pathways, such as the bcl-2/bax system and the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/IGF-1 receptor (IGFR) system. hCG did not increase cell proliferation in either cell line. However, hCG treatment suppressed cisplatin-induced apoptosis by 58% in the OVCAR-3 cells, as shown by immunofluorescent staining and quantitation of DNA fragmentation. LH/hCG receptor mRNA was expressed only in OVCAR-3, and no apoptosis-inhibitory effect of hCG was observed in the SK-OV-3 cells that did not express the receptor. In the OVCAR-3 cells, hCG significantly increased mRNA expression of IGF-1, but did not change mRNA levels of bcl-2/bax. Our findings suggest that LH/hCG influences the chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer cells through an apoptosis-inhibitory signal possibly via up-regulation of IGF-1 expression.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1998

Prognostic factors in uterine carcinosarcoma: a clinicopathologic study of 25 patients.

BACKGROUND: Carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed mullerian tumor) of the female genital tract is a highly malignant neoplasm. The tumor stage and histologic grade of the carcinomatous component are among the important prognostic indicators cited in the literature for this tumor. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with uterine carcinosarcoma at 4 hospitals in the Kyoto and Nara areas of Japan were studied retrospectively. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical data including p53, bcl-2, Ki-67, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model to investigate potential prognostic indicators for this neoplasm. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate was 36.4% for all stages, 62.3% for Stage I, and 0% for Stages II-IV. From the univariate analysis, stage (P = 0.0001), endometrioid adenocarcinoma as a carcinomatous component (P = 0.0006), age (P = 0.0355), and a heterologous sarcomatous component (P = 0.0421) were found to be prognostically significant for patient survival. Stage was the only independent significant factor in the multivariate analysis (t = 2.212). None of the other factors (history of pregnancy and gestation, gross appearance of the tumors, grade of the carcinomatous component, mitotic count of the sarcomatous component, Ki-67 and PCNA reactivity, or p53 or bcl-2 positive staining) was found to be a significant prognostic indicator. CONCLUSIONS: Stage appears to be the only definite independent prognostic indicator of survival in patients with uterine carcinosarcoma. It is uncertain whether age, endometrioid adenocarcinoma as a carcinomatous component, or absence of a heterologous component in the sarcomatous area are prognostic factors. Immunohistochemical expression of p53, bcl-2, Ki-67, or PCNA is not a prognostic indicator. The immunohistochemical results of the current study may support the hypothesis of a common stem cell origin of this tumor.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy correlates with the expression of P-glycoprotein and PCNA but not GST-pi in the tumor cells of cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinicopathological and chemoresistant factors predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the patient prognosis in high-risk cervical carcinomas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with locally advanced or bulky cervical carcinoma treated with two courses of intraarterial infusion of cisplatin, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), followed by radical hysterectomy at our hospital between 1988 and 1995. Expressions of the chemoresistance-related proteins, such as P-glycoprotein, glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the tumor cells, were examined by immunohistochemistry using pretreatment biopsy specimens. These results were compared with the chemotherapeutic response, which was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology. Outcome of the patients was also studied. RESULTS: Chemotherapeutic effect of either complete (CR) or partial (PR) response on MRI was obtained in 36 of the 47 (86%) patients. Poor response to chemotherapy was significantly correlated with P-glycoprotein expression (P < 0.005) and low PCNA labeling (P < 0. 05), but not GST-pi expression in the tumor cells. Independent prognostic factors for patient survival were parametrial involvement and lymph node metastasis. Neither the expression of GST-pi nor PCNA was correlated with the patient survival. CONCLUSION: Assessment of the expression of P-glycoprotein and PCNA is potentially useful for the prediction of tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for cervical carcinomas.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed1998

Heterogeneous distribution of K-ras-mutated epithelia in mucinous ovarian tumors with special reference to histopathology.

The carcinogenic process of epithelial ovarian carcinomas is still unknown, and both pathways of de novo carcinogenesis from the surface epithelium and malignant transformation of benign cystadenoma have been suggested. Especially in mucinous ovarian tumors, the transition from benign cystadenomas to tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) or carcinomas has been implicated. To elucidate this possibility, we analyzed the presence or absence of heterogeneity of the K-ras mutation corresponding to the histological heterogeneity in 71 epithelial ovarian tumors, including 31 mucinous tumors. K-ras mutation was identified in nine mucinous tumors (4 of 10 carcinomas, 4 of 14 LMP tumors, and 1 of 7 cystadenomas) and in two nonmucinous carcinomas. Microdissection of multiple sites with reference to their histological appearance showed the heterogeneous distribution of K-ras-mutated epithelia in two of the nine mucinous tumors. One mucinous carcinoma showed K-ras mutation in all of the histologically LMP and malignant portions, but not in benign portions. In another LMP tumor, all of the LMP portions and one of the benign portions showed K-ras mutation, whereas the other two benign portions had no mutation. In the remaining seven mucinous tumors with K-ras mutation, however, there was a homogeneous distribution of K-ras-mutated epithelia irrespective of their histological appearance. These findings suggest that the K-ras mutation occurs during the transformation from benign cystadenomas to LMP or malignant lesions, providing molecular genetic support for the hypothesis of the "adenoma-carcinoma sequence" in some mucinous ovarian tumors, but in other cases an alternative pathway may also be possible.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMed1998

Expression of abnormal transcripts of the FHIT (fragile histidine triad) gene in ovarian carcinoma.

To elucidate the role of the FHIT (fragile histidine triad) gene in ovarian carcinogenesis, the expression of the gene was analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 51 cases of ovarian carcinoma, 6 cases of borderline tumour and 4 cases of benign ovarian tumour. The concomitant expressions of normal and abnormal FHIT transcripts were detected in 39% of carcinomas and in 83% of borderline tumours, while benign tumours and normal ovarian tissues expressed only normal transcript. In addition, there were 4 (8%) cases of carcinoma lacking expression of normal FHIT transcript, all of which were in advanced stages (stage III-IV) and poorly differentiated. These results suggest that the expression of abnormal transcripts of the FHIT gene is a feature of ovarian malignant/borderline tumours and that the complete loss of normal FHIT expression is related to the progression of ovarian carcinoma in a subset of the cases. However, abnormal FHIT transcripts themselves were not associated with any clinicopathological parameters, such as clinical stage, histological subtype of tumour, grade of differentiation or outcome of the patient. Additionally, abnormal FHIT expression was not associated with the presence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at this locus, suggesting that abnormal FHIT transcripts are not derived from genetic alteration or that genetic alteration at this locus is complicated.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

PubMed1998

Prognostic significance of heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 in endometrial carcinomas.

Heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 are sex steroid receptor-associated proteins, and HSP90 expression has reportedly been correlated with sex steroid receptor status in endometrial carcinomas. HSP70 is also known to associate with several oncogene products such as p53 protein, and expression of HSP70 has been reported to be a prognostic factor in several malignant neoplasms. In endometrial carcinomas, however, little is known about the prognostic significance of these proteins. Therefore, we analyzed the survival of 44 endometrial carcinoma patients treated in our hospital with reference to the immunohistochemical expressions of HSP70 and HSP90, as well as the clinicopathological factors such as age, menstrual status, FIGO stage, histologic grade, p53 protein overexpression, and sex steroid receptor status. The expression of HSP70 was observed in 50% (22 cases), and strong HSP90 expression in 30% (13 cases) of the 44 carcinomas. The patients with HSP70-positive tumors showed significantly poorer survival than the patients with HSP70-negative tumors (p = 0.045), although multivariate analysis did not reveal HSP70 expression to be an independent prognostic factor. In contrast, the strong expression of HSP90 in the tumor was significantly correlated with a favorable prognosis of the patient (p = 0.026). Other prognostic indicators were FIGO stage (p = 0.0086) and the expression of progesterone receptor (p = 0.042). Accordingly, expressions of HSP70 and HSP90 each have different prognostic significance in endometrial carcinoma and may be useful for prediction of patient survival.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Expression of class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and beta2-microglobulin is associated with decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules play a central role in the immune system through either presentation of endogenous antigen and activation of T lymphocytes or functional emergence of natural killer (NK) cells. Various types of immune cells are present in the human endometrium and are believed to be involved in reproductive function and/or immunological reaction. However, little is known about the expression status and function of HLA class I molecules in the human endometrium. We therefore examined mRNA expression of HLA class I. In addition, we analysed gene expression and localization of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), which is the non-variant chain of all HLA class I molecules. Compared with non-decidualized tissues, mRNA expression of both HLA class I and beta2-MG was significantly higher in decidualized endometria in the late secretory phase, under progestin treatment and during early pregnancy. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that beta2-MG was localized in decidualized endometrial stromal cells, indicating that the distribution of beta2-MG is topologically correlated with that of CD56bright+ NK cells. In-vitro culture of human endometrial stromal cells demonstrated that HLA class I mRNA was induced during the decidualization by progesterone. Accordingly, the expression of HLA class I molecules is transcriptionally activated along with decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells, and may represent an immuno-endocrine function of the endometrium.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Early invasive adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube: a case report and review of the literature.

We present an early invasive adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube, which was incidentally found in a 45-year-old woman undergoing a laparotomy for uterine myoma. Histological examination of the hydropic tubes revealed widespread endosalpingeal hyperplasia without atypia in both tubes. In addition, the left tube contained 3 scattered lesions of carcinoma in situ, one of which was accompanied by a microfocus of definite stromal invasion confined within the endosalpingeal mucosa. Such a case seems extremely rare, and it might represent the histological appearance of an early invasive feature of tubal carcinoma. We reviewed previously reported cases of in situ and/or early invasive carcinomas of the fallopian tube with respect to the pathological diagnosis and histogenesis of primary tubal adenocarcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Increased expression of LH/hCG receptors in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma in anovulatory women.

Endometrial hyperplasias and carcinomas are well documented to occur in anovulatory women with or without polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO), which is characterized by hypersecretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Although overexpression of LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptors has been demonstrated in endometrial carcinomas, whether LH/hCG receptors are also expressed in the endometrial hyperplasias is not known. In this study, the expression of LH/hCG receptors as well as that of progesterone receptors (PR) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 20 cases of normal endometria and 24 cases of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma (9 simple hyperplasias, 6 complex hyperplasias, 6 atypical hyperplasias, and 3 well-differentiated carcinomas). Fifteen of the 24 patients were 40 years old or younger, presumably anovulatory by BBT chart. Serum levels of LH, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, estradiol, and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. Expression of LH/hCG receptors was detected in 19 of the 21 hyperplasias with a relatively stronger staining intensity in the glandular cells of complex or atypical hyperplasia as compared with normal endometrial glands or simple hyperplasia. In addition, all of the 3 carcinoma specimens showed stronger expression of LH/hCG receptors compared with normal endometria. The expression of LH/hCG receptors was well correlated with the staining for PR. Hormonal assay revealed 3 women to have the typical endocrinological profile of PCO. These findings suggest that the increased expression of LH/hCG receptors is a feature of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma developing in younger anovulatory women including those with PCO.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Messenger ribonucleic acid expression of LH/hCG receptor gene in human ovarian carcinomas.

The mRNA expression of luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptors was analysed by the RT-nested PCR method in five normal ovarian tissues, 62 ovarian tumours (5 benign, 7 borderline and 43 malignant epithelial tumours, 3 sex cord-stromal tumours and 4 germ cell tumours) and in 2 ovarian cancer cell lines. In normal ovaries, two cDNA fragments of different sizes were detected using primers designed to amplify a region including exon 9. Sequencing revealed that the larger fragment was derived from a full-length receptor, while the smaller fragment was a splice variant lacking exon 9. In ovarian tumours, the larger fragment of LH/hCG receptors was detected in 40% of the epithelial ovarian carcinomas, none of the germ cell tumours, all of the sex cord-stromal tumours and one of the 2 ovarian cancer cell lines. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the localisation of LH/hCG receptor protein in the tumour cells which correlated with mRNA expression. Patients with full-length LH/hCG receptors in carcinomas showed a better prognosis compared with those without the receptors.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed1997

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in epithelial ovarian neoplasms: correlation with clinicopathology and patient survival, and analysis of serum VEGF levels.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be produced by various solid tumours and is thought to be involved in microvascular permeability and/or angiogenesis. To examine the relationship between VEGF expression in ovarian neoplasms and clinicopathological factors or patient survival, expression of VEGF was analysed immunohistochemically in 110 epithelial ovarian tumours. In addition, VEGF levels in the tumour fluid (17 patients), ascites (12 patients) and sera (38 patients) were determined using enzyme immunoassay. Positive immunostaining for VEGF was observed in 97% (68 out of 70) of ovarian carcinomas, which was significantly higher than that of tumours of low malignant potential (LMP) (13 out of 25; 52%) and benign cystadenomas (5 out of 15; 33%) (P < 0.01). In ovarian carcinomas, strong VEGF immunostaining was also observed more frequently in tumours of clear cell type (P < 0.05) in the advanced stage of disease (P < 0.05) and with positive peritoneal cytology (P < 0.01). Patients with strong VEGF staining had poorer survival rates than those with weak or no immunostaining for VEGF (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that strong VEGF expression plays an important role in the tumour progression of ovarian carcinoma. The enzyme immunoassay revealed higher serum VEGF levels in carcinoma patients than those in patients with LMP or benign tumours (P < 0.01). Serum VEGF levels decreased after the successful removal of tumours in ovarian cancer patients and, in one patient, the serum VEGF level was re-elevated during relapse. Therefore, serum VEGF could be used as a marker for monitoring the clinical course of ovarian cancer patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Extraovarian sex cord-stromal tumor: case report and review of the literature.

A 45-year-old woman was found at laparotomy to have a multinodular solid tumor within the broad ligament, which was removed by total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Both ovaries were unremarkable. Three years after the operation, retroperitoneal tumor was detected, which was associated with clinical evidence of estrogen production. Histological examination of the primary and retroperitoneal tumors showed histological features that resembled those of granulosa cell tumors. Previously reported sex cord-stromal tumors arising in extraovarian sites were reviewed with respect to the histogenesis of these tumors.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1997

Diffuse cystic change of a term placenta with a normal newborn.

We recently encountered a case of term placenta with a diffuse cystic lesion of the villi. A 19-year-old primipara at 36 weeks of gestation underwent cesarean section due to breech presentation with premature rupture of the membranes; she delivered a mature male baby of 2,502 g with an Apgar score of 9/9. The placenta was 940 g in weight and 29 x 20 x 3 cm in size, and macroscopically had multiple cystic lesions (3-8 mm in diameter) that resembled hydatidiform moles. However, histopathological examination revealed that the severe hydropic change was localized in the stem villi but not remarkable in the terminal chorionic villi. Moreover, abnormal proliferation of the trophoblast was not observed. However, the hypertrophic change was observed in the vascular wall of stem villi, in which hyperplasia of smooth muscle-like cells was present. The urinary hCG levels at 1 month and 2 months after delivery were less than 50 IU/l. These findings indicate that the multiple cystic lesions of the placenta in this case are essentially different from those of a trophoblastic disease, and that the diffuse cystic lesion of the villi might have been secondary to changes in the local circulation.

Actins↗

PubMed1997

CA125 phosphorylation is associated with its secretion from the WISH human amnion cell line.

Evidence is presented suggesting that CA125 is a serine and/or threonine phosphoprotein and that its secretion from the human amnion WISH cell line is closely linked to its phosphorylation. It is also indicated that regulation of CA125 secretion requires protein(s) tyrosine phosphorylation. WISH cells treated with a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, vanadate/ H2O2, resulted in increased levels of CA125 secretion. Exposure of vanadate-treated cells to epidermal growth factor further enhanced this secretory activity. Immunohistochemistry of vanadate-treated cells resulted in a substantial increase in not only cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphoproteins but also in membrane-associated CA125 when stained with the PY20 anti-phosphotyrosine and M11 anti-CA125 monoclonal antibodies, respectively. M11 immunoprecipitation of CA125 from cells labelled with [32P]-orthophosphate was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Immunoprecipitates from cell lysates demonstrated that a phosphoprotein of > 200 kD was isolated and immunoreacted with both the OC125 and M11 anti-CA125 monoclonal antibodies by Western blotting. CA125 immunoprecipitated from vanadate-treated cells showed a marked increase in cell-associated CA125 phosphorylation. Although CA125 could be immunoprecipitated from WISH cell media incubated with [32P]-orthophosphate in the presence or absence of vanadate as detected by Western blotting, autoradiographic analysis of the Western blots revealed no [32P]-labelled CA125 co-migrating with the 200-kD plus molecule detected by M11. When the PY20 anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody was used as the probe, no tyrosine-phosphorylated CA125 was detected in cell lysates.

Amnion↗

PubMed1997

Messenger ribonucleic acid expression of heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 in human endometrium and myometrium during the menstrual cycle.

Heat shock proteins of 72 and 90 kDa (HSP70, HSP90) are thought to be involved in the functional modulation of sex steroid receptors. To examine the expression and transcriptional regulation of HSP70 and HSP90 in both the endometrium and myometrium, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein level expression of these HSPs during various phases of the menstrual cycle were analyzed by Northern blotting and immunohistochemistry. In the endometrium, HSP70 mRNA levels increased during the secretory phase compared with levels during the proliferative phase; this is consistent with the stronger immunostaining of HSP70 in glandular cells in the secretory phase. In the myometrium, however, mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 were higher in the proliferative phase than in the secretory phase. This indicates that the regulatory mechanism of HSP70 expression during the menstrual cycle differs between the endometrial glandular cells and myometrial smooth muscle cells and may be correlated with the period of sex steroid-related functions of the respective cells. Expression of the HSP90 mRNA and protein in the myometrium was higher in the proliferative phase than in the secretory phase. In the endometrium, HSP90 immunostaining in the glandular cells was also stronger in the proliferative phase, although expression of HSP90 mRNA was not significantly different between the tissues of the two phases.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) during folliculogenesis in the human ovary.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been suggested to be one of the intraovarian regulators of ovarian folliculogenesis, but its localization in the human ovary remains to be determined. We examined the immunohistochemical reactivity for bFGF in the course of follicular development and corpora lutea formation in the human ovary. Pregranulosa cells in the primordial follicle were negative, but at the preantral stage both granulosa and theca cells showed weakly positive immunostaining for bFGF. In the antral follicles, both granulosa and theca interna cells showed stronger staining for bFGF with the increase in follicular diameter. In atretic follicles at various stages, granulosa cells were negative or weakly positive for bFGF, whereas luteinized theca cells showed strong immunoreactivity. In the corpora lutea during the early luteal phase, granulosa lutein cells were strongly positive for bFGF but in the late luteal phase became immunonegative. On the other hand, bFGF staining in theca lutein cells was strong throughout the course of corpora lutea formation and regression. These findings suggest that bFGF is localized not only in granulosa cells but also in theca cells, and in the latter, bFGF immunoreactivity is associated with luteinization.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during folliculogenesis and corpus luteum formation in the human ovary.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been suggested to be involved in angiogenesis and microvascular hyperpermeability. We examined immunohistochemically the expression of VEGF in the granulosa and theca cells, along with that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), in the vascular endothelium during the course of follicular development and corpora lutea formation in human ovaries. The immunolocalization of VEGF in these cells was compared with that of another putative angiogenic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The granulosa cells in the primordial and primary follicles were VEGF negative, but at the preantral stage, the granulosa cells showed weakly positive immunostaining for VEGF. However, the VEGF immunostaining in the granulosa cells was weak throughout the folliculogenesis. In contrast, the theca interna cells of developing follicles showed strong staining for VEGF, which was well correlated with the PCNA positivity in the vascular endothelial cells in the thecal layer. In the atretic follicles, the granulosa and theca cells were VEGF negative. In the corpora lutea, VEGF was strongly expressed in both granulosa and theca lutein cells in the early luteal phase when the PCNA positivity in the endothelium increased, but the VEGF staining in these cells became weak in the mid- and late luteal phases. Accordingly, the PCNA positivity in the vascular endothelium was well correlated with the expression of VEGF in the theca cells during follicular development and atresia, and that in the granulosa and theca lutein cells in corpora lutea formation and regression. In addition, the immunolocalization of VEGF was different from that of bFGF.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1996

Expression of heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 in endometrial carcinomas. Correlation with clinicopathology, sex steroid receptor status, and p53 protein expression.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 are involved in the functional modulation of sex steroid receptors and are expressed in normal endometrium. However, little is known about the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in endometrial carcinomas. METHODS: The immunohistochemical reactivity of monoclonal antibodies against HSP70 and HSP90 was examined in 42 endometrial carcinomas, and the presence or absence of correlation with the clinicopathologic features, sex steroid receptor status, and p53 protein expression was analyzed. RESULTS: Expression of HSP70 was found in 52% of endometrial carcinomas and was correlated with nonendometrioid histology (P < 0.05), a poorly differentiated state (P < 0.01), p53 protein expression (P < 0.01), and absence of sex steroid receptors (P < 0.001) in the tumor. By contrast, strong expression of HSP90 was observed in 29% of endometrial carcinomas, and occurred more frequently in well-differentiated carcinomas that were positive for sex steroid receptors. CONCLUSIONS: Both HSP70 and HSP90 are significantly correlated with the histology and the sex steroid receptor status of endometrial carcinomas. Expression of HSP70 may be associated with a loss of sex steroid receptors in either nonendometrioid or poorly differentiated carcinoma of the endometrium, which frequently exhibits p53 protein expression. Conversely, strong expression of HSP90 may indicate high levels of sex steroid receptors in the tumor cells.

Adult↗