Fascin in ovarian epithelial tumors

Fascin contributes to the formation of actin-based protrusions involved in cell migration. Fascin has emerged as a prognostic marker in some carcinomas. We examined ovarian neoplasms to check any correlation between fascin expression and established clinicopathologic parameters. Fascin immunoreactivity was semiquantitavely scored in 100 ovarian tumors (62 carcinomas, 15 borderline tumors and 23 cystadenomas). Double staining for fascin and Ki-67 was performed in selected carcinomas. Western Blotting was done in frozen samples. Fascin immunoreactivity was highest in carcinomas, lowest in cystadenomas and intermediate in borderline tumors; these results were in accordance with those from Western blotting analysis. Fascin was statistically increased in carcinomas of advanced stage and in serous carcinomas. It was also increased in metastatic foci and in tumor foci with lower Ki-67 labeling. We conclude that in ovarian tumors fascin is associated with certain features of increased tumor aggressiveness. Future studies could determine if fascin may become a routinely helpful marker in gynecological pathology or clinical oncology.