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Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression
Published on: August 28, 2012
Claudin-7 expression in human epithelial ovarian cancer.
R A Tassi1, E Bignotti, M Falchetti
1Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Summary
Claudin-7 (CLDN-7) is significantly overexpressed in ovarian cancer, showing potential as a diagnostic biomarker. Its high expression on cancer cells suggests it may be a target for antibody-based therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Claudin-7 (CLDN-7) is a tight junction protein.
- CLDN-7 exhibits differential expression in ovarian carcinoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate CLDN-7 as a novel biomarker for epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOC).
- To quantify and compare CLDN-7 expression at mRNA and protein levels in EOC patients.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA quantification.
- Immunohistochemistry for protein expression analysis.
- Analysis of 110 patients with various EOC histologic types.
Main Results:
- CLDN-7 transcript was significantly overexpressed in primary and metastatic EOCs (fold change = 111.4, P < 0.001).
- Protein levels of CLDN-7 were significantly higher in EOC tumors compared to normal ovaries (P < 0.001).
- CLDN-7 was detected in EOC cells in ascites and effusions, but not in surrounding inflammatory or mesothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- CLDN-7 is significantly overexpressed in all major EOC types and disseminated neoplastic cells.
- CLDN-7 shows potential as a novel diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer.
- CLDN-7's expression pattern suggests suitability for antibody-mediated localized therapies in ovarian adenocarcinoma.
