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mRNA expression of PTEN and VEGF genes in epithelial ovarian cancer

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Cancer Research

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the mRNA expression of PTEN and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes in ovarian cancer. Methods: We examined mRNA expression of PTEN and VEGF165 in normal ovary (n=5), ovarian cyst (n=5), ovarian borderline tumor (n=9), epithelial ovarian cancer (n=60) and ovarian cancer cell line (CAOV-3) by RT-PCR. Their expressions were compared with clinicopathological features of ovarian cancer. The relationship between their expressions was concerned in all ovarian samples as well. Results: mRNA expression level of PTEN gene was significantly lower in ovarian borderline tumor or ovarian cancer than that in normal ovary or ovarian cyst(P<0.05). It was negatively correlated with clinicopathological staging(P<0.05), whereas positively with histological differentiation (P<0.05). mRNA expression level of PTEN gene was significantly lower in ovarian endometrioid cancer than ovarian serous or mucinous cancer(P<0.05). mRNA expression level of VEGF165 gene was significantly higher in ovarian cancer than that in normal ovary or ovarian cyst(P<0.05). It was positively correlated with clinicopathological staging(P<0.05), whereas negatively with histological differentiation (P<0.05). mRNA expression level of VEGF165 gene was significantly higher in ovarian serous cancer than in other ovarian epithelial cancers (P<0.05). mRNA expression of VEGF165 gene was inversely correlated with mRNA expression level of PTEN gene. Conclusion: Down-regulated expression of PTEN and up-regulated expression of VEGF were considered as two important events in tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer and could be used as molecular markers to indicate the pathobiological behaviors of ovarian cancer. Decreased PTEN expression and increased VEGF expression were closely associated with tumorigenesis and pathobiological behaviors of ovarian endometrioid and serous cancer respectively. Reduced expression of PTEN gene might be involved in carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer by up-regulating the VEGF expression to enhance angiogenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Fourth Laboratory, Cancer Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 110001, Shenyang

    Chen Ying, Zheng Hua-chuan, Yang Xue-fei, Wang Gui-lan & Xin Yan

  2. Center of Biochip, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110001, Shenyang

    Zhao Yu-jie

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  1. Chen Ying
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  2. Zhao Yu-jie
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  3. Zheng Hua-chuan
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  4. Yang Xue-fei
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  5. Wang Gui-lan
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  6. Xin Yan
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Correspondence to Xin Yan.

Additional information

Foundation item: This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39370772)

Biography: Chen Ying(1968-), female, candidate for doctor of medicine, associate professor, China Medical University, Shenyang Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, majors in Gynecology.

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Chen, Y., Zhao, Yj., Zheng, Hc. et al. mRNA expression of PTEN and VEGF genes in epithelial ovarian cancer. Chin J Cancer Res 15, 252–256 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02974887

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02974887

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