[Study on the expression and mutation of cadherin 6 gene in human ovarian carcinoma]

To study expression and mutation of cadherin 6 gene in human ovarian tumor tissues and its clinical significance and to explore new molecular biomarker of ovarian tumors.

The expression and mutation of cadherin 6 in 41 cases of malignant ovarian tumors, 15 cases of benign ovarian tumors and borderline ovarian tumors and 17 cases of normal tissues were detected by RT-PCR and polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique respectively.

The positive expression rates of cadherin 6 were 71% in normal group, 53% in benign ovarian tumors, 24% in malignant ovarian tumors, being significantly higher in the former two groups than in malignant tumor group (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between cadherin 6 gene expression and clinical stages and histological subtype of malignant ovarian tumors. Lower expression rate of cadherin 6 gene was found in cancer tissues at stages III approximately IV than at stages I approximately II (P < 0.01). No mutation was found in normal group and benign tumor tissues and it was observed in 2 out of 41 malignant ovarian tumor tissues.

These results suggest that expression of cadherin 6 gene tends to lack in advanced ovarian carcinoma with lymph node metastases, as well as in poorly differentiated carcinomas. It may be a prognostic marker of ovarian carcinoma.