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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
c-KIT expression and correlation with chemotherapy resistance in ovarian carcinoma: an immunocytochemical study
M R Raspollini1, G Amunni, A Villanucci
1Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. mariaroario.raspollini@unifi.it
Background:
Recent studies have shown that several tumours express c-KIT, a growth factor receptor with tyrosine kinase activity; moreover, clinical results have shown the efficacy of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, STI571, in c-KIT-positive tumours. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and correlation with chemotherapy resistance of c-KIT expression in advanced serous, low grade of differentiation, ovarian carcinoma.
Patients And Methods:
We performed an immunohistochemistry analysis of 56 patients with advanced serous ovarian carcinomas using archival paraffin-embedded specimens.
Results:
Intense c-KIT immunostaining was observed in 51.7% of cases. c-KIT expression was statistically correlated with progression of disease after first-line chemotherapy (P = 0.029).
Conclusions:
c-KIT is also expressed in ovarian carcinoma and it is statistically correlated with chemotherapy resistance. This study suggests the necessity for clinical trials confirming the utility of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, STI571, in ovarian advanced cancer patients with c-KIT overexpression when these patients have shown no clinical response to conventional chemotherapy.
Insights
c-KIT receptor is overexpressed in over half of advanced ovarian cancers and is linked to chemotherapy resistance. This suggests tyrosine kinase inhibitors like STI571 may benefit patients resistant to standard treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- c-KIT, a growth factor receptor with tyrosine kinase activity, is expressed in several tumors.
- The tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 has shown efficacy in c-KIT-positive tumors.
- Ovarian carcinoma is a significant area of cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of c-KIT expression in advanced serous ovarian carcinoma.
- To investigate the correlation between c-KIT expression and chemotherapy resistance in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed on 56 archival paraffin-embedded specimens.
- The study focused on patients with advanced serous ovarian carcinomas of low differentiation.
Main Results:
- Intense c-KIT immunostaining was detected in 51.7% of the analyzed cases.
- A statistically significant correlation was found between c-KIT expression and disease progression after first-line chemotherapy (P = 0.029).
Conclusions:
- c-KIT is expressed in ovarian carcinoma and is statistically associated with chemotherapy resistance.
- Clinical trials are warranted to confirm the efficacy of STI571 in advanced ovarian cancer patients with c-KIT overexpression who are refractory to conventional chemotherapy.
