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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Assessment of Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Attachment and Invasion of Mesothelial Cells in Real Time
Published on: May 20, 2014
Gonadotropins promote human ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion via a cyclooxygenase 2-dependent pathway
Dingqing Feng1, Tingting Zhao2, Keqin Yan1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Abstract:
It is generally accepted that ovarian cancer is associated with local elevation of gonadotropins (FSH and LH), with repeated ovulation and accompanying expression of inducible cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). However, the roles of gonadotropins and the concomitant elevation of COX2 in the development of ovarian cancer have not been fully characterized. Herein, we report that excessive FSH/LH exposure did not induce proliferation in ovarian cancer cell lines but significantly promoted cell migration and invasion. Moreover, FSH/LH treatment rapidly upregulated COX2 expression within 24 h, whereas COX1 expression remained unchanged. Further results showed that enhancement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 contributed to the stimulatory effect of gonadotropins on cell migration and invasion; these effects were sufficiently blocked by a selective COX2 inhibitor. In conclusion, the present study suggests that gonadotropin-induced migration and invasion in ovarian cancer may be caused by EMT and MMP upregulation via a COX2-dependent pathway.
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