Thrombospondin-I concentrations behavior in plasma of patients with ovarian cancer

To determine whether thrombospondin-1 might be used as a prognostic factor in ovarian cancer patients.

Ninety-six female subjects hospitalized in years 2011-2014 was included in the study. Transvaginal ultrasound examination was performed in all patients. In 39 cases of suspected ovarian cancer, CT scans were also performed. Each patient had been subjected to collection of a 5-mL blood sample before the laparoscopic procedure. Thrombospondin-1 concentrations were quantified in serum by multiplex fluorescent bead-based immunoassays (Luminex) at the Laboratory of the Department of General Pathology.

Statistical analysis performed using the Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test revealed no statistically significant correlations between the median, 75th percentile and 95th percentile thrombospondin-1 levels with progression-free survival of patients (p= 0.47). In the univariate OS model, median thrombospondin-1 level was a significant variable. Correlation was demonstrated between baseline thrombospondin-1 levels and overall survival of patients (p= 0.04, HR = 0.99). The higher the baseline TSP1 level, the longer the overall survival of patients.

In our study, we were the first to demonstrate correlation between the levels of thrombospondin-1 and overall survival of patients. Therefore, it appears that thrombospondin-1 may be used as a prognostic factor in ovarian cancer patients.