The ErbB Signalling Pathway in Ovarian Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): de Graeff P, Crijns A P G, ten Hoor K A, Klip H G, Hollema H, Oien K, Bartlett J M, Wisman G B A, de Bock G H, de Vries E G E, de Jong S, van der Zee A G J
Primary Institution: University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen
Hypothesis
What is the prognostic value of the ErbB signalling pathway components in epithelial ovarian cancer?
Conclusion
Tumours showing negative PTEN staining could represent a subgroup of ovarian carcinomas with a relatively favourable prognosis.
Supporting Evidence
- Negative PTEN immunostaining was associated with stage I/II disease.
- Negative PTEN staining predicted improved progression-free survival in patients with grade III or undifferentiated serous carcinomas.
- Positive pAKT staining was associated with advanced-stage disease.
Takeaway
This study found that ovarian cancer patients with negative PTEN staining might have a better chance of surviving than those with positive staining.
Methodology
Immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR were used to analyze protein expression in primary tumours.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the retrospective nature and variability in treatment regimens.
Limitations
The study was retrospective and included patients treated with different chemotherapy regimens.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 57.8 years, with a range from 22 to 90; 27.6% had stage I/II disease.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P=0.006 for PTEN association with stage I/II disease.
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.095–0.9 for stage I/II patients.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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