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In situ human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression pattern in normal and neoplastic ovarian tissues
Atac Baykal1, Jennifer A Thompson, Xiao-Chun Xu
1Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Oncology Reports
|January 14, 2004
Summary
Telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA is expressed in various ovarian tissues, both benign and malignant. Its heterogeneous expression suggests it is not a reliable marker for distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Gynecologic Pathology
Background:
- Telomerase maintains telomere length and is linked to cellular immortalization and cancer.
- Previous studies on ovarian neoplasm telomerase activity used methods like PCR, yielding results needing cautious interpretation due to cell heterogeneity.
- Normal cell types can express telomerase when activated, complicating diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression in ovarian neoplasms using in situ hybridization.
- To determine if telomerase expression can differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was employed on 75 ovarian specimens.
- This method allowed for the precise localization and intensity assessment of telomerase expression within specific cell types.
Main Results:
- Telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression was detected in a significant proportion of epithelial ovarian carcinomas and borderline tumors.
- Expression was also observed in various benign ovarian cystadenomas and cystadenofibromas.
- No telomerase expression was found in normal ovaries, excluding the corpus luteum.
Conclusions:
- Telomerase expression is heterogeneously distributed across benign and malignant ovarian epithelial tissues.
- Human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression is not a dependable biomarker for distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian tumors in clinical practice.