The expression of p57(kip2) in normal ovaries and ovarian tumors / 대한산부인과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of CDK (Cyclin dependent kinase) inhibitor, p57(kip2) in human ovarian corpus luteum, benign and malignant ovarian tumors. METHODS: 46 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy for ovarian tumors were enrolled. Total 46 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of corpus luteum, benign and malignant ovarian tumors were stained by immunohistochemistry for expression of p57(kip2). RESULTS: p57(kip2) was stained in theca cell of growing follicle but not induced in human corpus luteum. There was the expression of p57(kip2) in mature teratoma, immature teratoma and endometrioma but not in epithelial ovarian tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that p57(kip2) expression may be not important in luteinization of the ovary and seemed not to play a role in development of epithelial ovarian tumors. However, it may involve pathogenesis of mature teratoma, immature teratoma and endometrioma.