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Human chorionic gonadotropin-beta in endometrium cancer tissue
E Nowak-Markwitz1, A Jankowska, A Szczerba
1Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Science, Poznań, Poland.
European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology
|June 3, 2004
Summary
Human chorionic gonadotropin beta mRNA is present in endometrial cancer and precancerous tissues. However, serum free hCGbeta is less common and not linked to tumor stage or grade in endometrial cancer.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Endometrial cancer is a significant gynecologic malignancy.
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its subunits are investigated as potential biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the correlation between human chorionic gonadotropin mRNA expression and serum free hCGbeta immunoreactivity in endometrial cancer tissue.
- To investigate the presence of hCGbeta transcripts in cancerous and precancerous endometrial tissues.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 56 endometrial carcinoma patients (Stages IB-III).
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA hCGbeta expression in 18 tissue samples.
- Sequential immunometric assay for serum free hCGbeta immunoreactivity in all patients.
Main Results:
- mRNA hCGbeta was detected in 15 of 18 (83.3%) endometrial carcinoma tissue specimens.
- hCGbeta expression was also found in endometrial atypical hyperplasia, but not in noncancerous tissue.
- Serum free hCGbeta immunoreactivity was detectable in 86% of endometrial cancer patients, with no significant correlation to FIGO stage or tumor grade.
Conclusions:
- Active genes for hCGbeta are confirmed in endometrial cancer and precancerous tissues.
- Serum free hCGbeta is a less frequent finding and not associated with tumor stage or grade in endometrial cancer.