Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
07:54
Surface-enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering Nanoprobe Ratiometry for Detecting Microscopic Ovarian Cancer via Folate Receptor Targeting
Published on: March 25, 2019
8.6K
Detecting FR-⍺ Expression Level in Cytology Effusion Specimens From Ovarian Cancer and Comparing It With Tissue
Yadan Ma1, Xiaofei Yu2, Xiaohong Duan1
1Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China.
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|December 13, 2025
Summary
Detecting folate receptor-alpha (FR-α) in serous effusions using cell blocks is feasible and reliable for ovarian cancer patients. FR-α expression remains stable after chemotherapy, supporting targeted therapy with mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Precision Medicine
Background:
- Folate receptor-alpha (FR-α) is a key target for novel cancer therapies.
- Mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV) is FDA-approved for FR-α-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
- Accurate FR-α detection is crucial for guiding treatment decisions in precision medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of detecting FR-α protein expression in serous cavity effusions via cell blocks (CBs).
- To compare FR-α detection results from CBs with traditional surgical pathology specimens.
- To investigate the stability of FR-α expression before and after chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for FR-α was performed on 35 epithelial ovarian cancer serous cavity effusion CB specimens.
- Matched surgical pathology (SP) biopsy or resection specimens were used for comparison.
- Manufacturer's guidelines for IHC analysis were strictly followed.
Main Results:
- High concordance (96.4%) was observed between FR-α expression in cytology CBs and tissue specimens using a 25% positivity cutoff.
- Moderate-to-strong FR-α expression was detected in 85.7% of CBs and 91.4% of tissue samples.
- Consistent FR-α expression was noted between pre-treatment CBs and post-chemotherapy biopsy specimens.
Conclusions:
- Serous effusion CBs are effective for FR-α biomarker detection in ovarian cancer.
- FR-α expression is stable pre- and post-chemotherapy, validating its utility as a persistent biomarker.
- These findings support the use of FR-α testing in CBs for patient selection for MIRV therapy.
