Ovarian cancer subtypes are different diseases: Implications for biomarker studies

	Tweet

In a new analysis of tissue biomarkers expressed in ovarian cancer samples, published by PLoS Medicine, David Huntsman and his colleagues from Vancouver General Hospital suggest that substantial differences exist between ovarian cancer subtypes which should be reflected in patient management. Although ovarian cancer is not the most common gynecologic cancer in women, the disease contributes a substantial burden of mortality in part because symptoms are nonspecific and the disease presents late in its course.

As part of their research, Huntsman and coworkers measured expression levels of 21 proteins in 500 ovarian cancer samples which had been collected by an ovarian cancer registry serving British Columbia, Canada; they then correlated expression of these biomarkers with patient survival data following standardized treatment.

Their analyses studied associations between biomarker expression and survival for all cancers grouped together, as well as studying the five major ovarian cancer subtypes separately (high-grade serous, low-grade serous, clear cell, endometrioid, and mucinous carcinomas). 

Although biomarker expression was stable across disease stages within a given subtype, the associations between specific biomarkers and disease outcome differed substantially between subtypes. As a result, the researchers propose that “our study offers persuasive evidence supporting the view that ovarian carcinoma subtypes are different diseases.”

###

Citation: Köbel M, Kalloger SE, Boyd N, McKinney S, Mehl E, et al. (2008) Ovarian carcinoma subtypes are different diseases: Implications for biomarker studies. PLoS Med 5(11): e232. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0050232

CONTACT:
David Huntsman
University of British Columbia
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
CTAG Lab, BCCA
3427, 600 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6
Canada
+1 604-877-6000 x2301
+1 604-877-6089 (fax)

Contact: Andrew Hyde

44-122-346-3330
Public Library of Science

RELATED STORIES:
Ovarian transplantation: New technique gives greatly improved results in this delicate operation   Hormone Therapy Use Linked With Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer   Excess weight worsens ovarian cancer prognosis   New technique could sustain cancer patients’ fertility   Ovarian Cancer Responds to Aspirin Derivative with Chemotherapy   65% of ovarian cancer cells sideline body’s defences   The Cancer Genome Atlas completes detailed ovarian cancer analysis   Ovarian Cancer Treatment Found to Significantly Improve Survival   Bloating, pain may precede ovarian cancer   Ginger Causes Ovarian Cancer Cells to Die   ‘Trojan Horse’ particle sneaks chemotherapy in to kill ovarian cancer cells   Emotional support may slow ovarian cancer   Avastin helps in ovarian cancer but effects fade   Women with Certain Type of Ovarian Cancer and BRCA Gene Mutation Have Improved Survival at 5 Years   Specialists provide best outcome for ovarian cancer   More study needed on vitamin D-ovarian cancer link   Soy may lessen risk of endometrial, ovarian cancers   Faulty proteins may prove significant in identifying new treatments for ovarian cancer   Early periods may reduce ovarian cancer survival   Cancer stem cells recruit normal stem cells to fuel ovarian cancer, U-M study finds   Clues to Ovarian Cancer’s Deadly Secrets   Low-fat diet possibly linked to lower risk of ovarian cancer

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]