Cytokine production by peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with ovarian epithelial tumors

In presence of autoserum, production of IL1b, IL2, IL4, IL6 and TNFa by peripheral blood lymphocytes of 30 patients with epithelial tumors of ovaries and 50 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer of I-IV stages was investigated. The data received enable to ascertain the increase of mononuclear activity during ovarian tumor progression, increase of T-helpers of the second type activity, along with the reduction of T-helpers of the first type activity in peripheral blood of patients, and abnormalities of IL6-dependent mechanism of control of ILIb and TNFa production by peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with ovarian cancer.

Recurrence of borderline ovarian tumors: a survival analysis

Background: Borderline ovarian tumors are non-invasive tumors that display greater epithelial proliferation and cytological atypia than benign tumors, but less than carcinomas. They may be treated conservatively in young women, however there is a concern for recurrence and progression to frank malignancy. We aimed to study the clinicopathological features of borderline ovarian tumors and their risk of recurrence.Methods: We reviewed the electronic and paper charts of all borderline ovarian tumors operated between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2019 at a tertiary level teaching hospital in India. Descriptive statistics such as proportions and means were used. A survival analysis was done for recurrence and death.Results: A total of 93 borderline ovarian tumor patients were identified. The most common histology in our study was mucinous 60 (63%) followed by serous 28 (29%). Ninety two (99%) of them were stage I at diagnosis. Microinvasion was present in 27 (26%) of the cases. Out of the 30 fertility sparing operations performed (unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy/cytectomy), 4 (13%) had recurrences and progressed to malignancy. The overall malignancy rate was 4%. There was one mortality secondary to septic shock.Conclusions: Borderline ovarian tumors account for 10-20% of ovarian epithelial tumors and have extremely good prognosis affecting majorly the reproductive aged women. The low recurrence rate and good five year survival rate, at all the stages of the disease enables to incorporate fertility sparing surgeries as part of the staging.

Sulfation of O-glycans on mucin-type proteins from serous ovarian epithelial tumors

Despite that sulfated O-linked glycans are abundant on ovarian cancer (OC) glycoproteins, their regulation during cancer development and involvement in cancer pathogenesis remain unexplored. We characterized O-glycans carrying sulfation on galactose residues and compared their expression to defined sulfotransferases regulated during OC development. Desialylated sulfated oligosaccharides were released from acidic glycoproteins in the cyst fluid from one patient with a benign serous cyst and one patient with serous OC. Oligosaccharides characterized by LC-MSn were identified as core 1 and core 2 O-glycans up to the size of decamers, and with 1-4 sulfates linked to GlcNAc residues and to C-3 and/or C-6 of Gal. To study the specificity of the potential ovarian sulfotransferases involved, Gal3ST2 (Gal-3S)-, Gal3ST4 (Gal-3S)-, and CHST1 (Gal-6S)-encoding expression plasmids were transfected individually into CHO cells also expressing the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1/mouse immunoglobulin G2b (PSGL-1/mIg G2b) fusion protein and the human core 2 transferase (GCNT1). Characterization of the PSGL-1/mIg G2b O-glycans showed that Gal3ST2 preferentially sulfated Gal on the C-6 branch of core 2 structures and Gal3ST4 preferred Gal on the C-3 branch independently if core-1 or-2. CHST1 sulfated Gal residues on both the C-3 (core 1/2) and C-6 branches of core 2 structures. Using serous ovarian tissue micro array, Gal3ST2 was found to be decreased in tissue classified as malignant compared to tissues classified as benign or borderline, with the lowest expression in poorly differentiated malignant tissue. Neither Gal3ST4 nor CHST1 were differentially expressed in benign, borderline or malignant tissue, and there was no correlation between expression level and differentiation stage. The data displays a complex sulfation pattern of O-glycans on OC glycoproteins and that aggressiveness of the cancer is associated with a decreased expression of the Gal3ST2 transferase.

KAZN As a Diagnostic Marker in Ovarian Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on Microarray, MRNA-Sequencing, and Methylation Data

Background: Previous studies have shown that KAZN is involved in multiple biological processes such as cell development, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Most of the studies related to KAZN have been carried out in keratinocytes. Apart from that, KAZN is also expressed in other tissues, such as the ovary. However, the related research is relatively few and the function in other tissue or cell is still not clear. Methods: We investigated the correlations between KAZN expression and clinical characteristics of ovarian cancer (OC) and compared methylation levels of normal and OC samples through data collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarrays, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC). The relationships among differentially methylated sites in the KAZN gene, corresponding KAZN mRNA expression levels and prognosis were further analyzed.Results: KAZN was up-regulated in ovarian epithelial tumors and the expression of KAZN was correlated with the patients’ survival time. KAZN CpG site cg17657618 was positively correlated to the expression of mRNA and the methylation levels are significantly differential between the group of the stage of “I and II” the group of the stage “III and IV”. This study also presents a method to classify tumor and normal tissue in OC using DNA methylation pattern in the KAZN gene body region. Conclusions: We validated that KAZN was involved in ovarian cancer progression. These results may provide a new direction for ovarian cancer research and provide a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Comparative Immunohistochemical Study of Galectins 1, 3 and 9 in Ovarian Epithelial Neoplasms

Ovarian neoplasms are among the most common in the female genital tract and often have delayed diagnosis. Tumor progression involves signalling proteins called galectins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of galectins “1”, “3” and “9” in the ovarian surface epithelial neoplasia. A retrospective study involving 62 ovarian epithelial tumors (benign and non-benign) was performed with immunohistochemical polymer technique and antibodies against galectin “1”, “3” and “9”. Expression in epithelium and stroma was analysed semi-quantitatively. Fisher’s exact test was performed for statistical analysis. Galectin-“1” and “3” were strongly expressed in non-benign tumors of the epithelium. Non-benign neoplasms showed increased stromal expression of galectin-1 and increased epithelial expression of galectin-“3”. The significant increase in expression of galectin-1 and -3 in the epithelium of non- benign ovarian neoplasms suggests the participation of these galectins in ovarian carcinogenesis. We observed increased stromal expression of galectin-“1” and epithelial expression of galectin-“3” in non-benign ovarian neoplasms. These findings contribute to knowledge about the role of these galectins in the growth and spread of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Seromucinous Tumors: Pathogenesis, Morphologic Spectrum, and Clinical Issues

Ovarian seromucinous tumors were introduced in the 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) classification as one of the seven types of ovarian epithelial tumors. They are characterized by frequent association with endometriosis and bilaterality, microscopic appearance of papillary architecture, and admixture of a variety of müllerian-type epithelium. They are considered to be endometriosis-related ovarian neoplasms, along with endometrioid and clear cell tumors; recent molecular studies suggest this particular tumor is a variant of endometrioid tumor. Discrepancies in nomenclature, definition, and morphology of seromucinous tumors appear to be a source of confusion, for both clinicians and general surgicalpathologists. This review summarizes the clinicopathological features of benign, borderline, and malignant seromucinous tumors, as well as controversies regarding these tumors.

Treatment strategy for pediatric giant mucinous cystadenoma: A case report

Because of their rarity, the treatment strategy for pediatric ovarian epithelial tumors is controversial, especially for a giant cystadenoma. We report the largest mucinous cystadenoma (MCA) case in the pediatric literature thus far. A 12-year-old girl had abdominal distention and visited our hospital. She had a multilocular cyst with some protuberance on the inside and high values of CA 19-9 and CA-125. We diagnosed her with a left MCA and performed a left oophorectomy. The tumor was the stage IA borderline malignant MCA and weighed 11.8 kg. Five years have passed, the patient has not experienced recurrence or metastasis. The resection of giant tumors can affect respiration and circulation. However, pre- or intra-operative drainage may lead to dissemination and adhesion. When we treat pediatric giant ovarian epithelial tumors, we must understand the findings that suggest the possibility of malignancy to decide appropriately as to whether drainage should be performed.