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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression
12:42

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

Published on: August 28, 2012

Expression of c-ABL, c-KIT, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta in ovarian serous carcinoma and normal

Rosemarie E Schmandt1, Russell Broaddus, Karen H Lu

  • 1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. rschand@mdanderson.org

Cancer
|August 12, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ovarian carcinomas often resist chemotherapy. This study found most ovarian cancers express targets of imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suggesting its potential as a novel ovarian cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Tyrosine kinases (c-KIT, c-ABL, PDGFR-beta) regulate cell growth and are targets for novel cancer therapies.
  • Imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is effective against certain cancers but its utility in ovarian cancer is unexplored.
  • Ovarian carcinomas frequently exhibit resistance to conventional chemotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the expression of c-ABL, c-KIT, and PDGFR-beta in ovarian carcinomas.
  • To determine the feasibility of using imatinib mesylate for ovarian cancer treatment based on target kinase expression.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 52 ovarian serous carcinomas (21 low-grade, 31 high-grade) and 14 normal ovaries.
  • Expression levels of c-ABL, c-KIT, and PDGFR-beta were quantified in tumor and normal tissues.

Main Results:

  • c-ABL was expressed in 71% of serous carcinomas, more frequently in low-grade tumors.
  • PDGFR-beta was expressed in 81% of serous carcinomas, with higher expression in high-grade tumors.
  • c-KIT was present in 26% of high-grade serous carcinomas but absent in low-grade tumors.

Conclusions:

  • The majority of ovarian serous carcinomas express at least one kinase targeted by imatinib mesylate.
  • These findings suggest imatinib mesylate holds potential as a therapeutic agent for ovarian carcinoma.

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