The expression and prognostic role of IMPDH2 in ovarian cancer

Inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase type II (IMPDH2), as an oncogene, is reported to be involved in tumor formation and progression. However, the role of IMPDH2 in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Present study is aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of IMPDH2 in ovarian cancer.

The mRNA and protein levels of IMPDH2 were measured in 126 ovarian cancer and matched adjacent normal tissues by quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Then, the association of IMPDH2 with clinicalpathological characters and prognosis was further evaluated.

Significant higher mRNA levels of IMPDH2 were observed in ovarian cancer compared with those in normal tissues (P < 0.001). IHC results shown the high-expression rate of IMPDH2 in ovarian cancer was 56.3%, which was obviously higher compared with that in normal tissues (23.8%, P < 0.0001). Moreover, IMPDH2 high-expression significantly correlated with tumor types and Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrigue (FIGO) stages in ovarian cancer (P < 0.05). IMPDH2 overexpression predicted poorer prognosis and could serve as an independent prognostic factor.

IMPDH2 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer and correlates with prognosis, which may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker.