Expression of Actin-bundling Protein Fascin and its Relationship with Altered E-cadherin and beta-catenin Expressions in Ovarian Serous Neoplasms

ABSTRACT

Background: Fascin, an actin-bundling protein, has been found in specialized normal cells, including the neuronal, endothelial and dendritic cells, and its expression is known to be greatly increased in various human neoplasms. Methods: Immunohistochemical stainings for fascin, betacatenin, and E-cadherin were performed in normal ovary tissue (n=13), and in benign (n=14), borderline (n=32), and malignant (n=74) ovarian serous neoplasms. We evaluated the fascin expression, and its relationship with the betacatenin and E-cadherin expressions, as well as the clinicopathologic factors. Results: Fascin expression was detected in the majority of the borderline (100%, 32/32) and malignant tumors (90.5%, 67/74), but it was not seen in the normal ovarian surface epithelial cells and the benign tumors (p<0.001). Fascin expression was significantly correlated with the occurrence of peritoneal metastases in the carcinomas (p=0.043). A significant relationship between the expressions of fascin and betacatenin (p=0.046), as well as E-cadherin (p=0.035) was noted. There was no significant correlation with the tumor grade of carcinoma, the FIGO stage, tumor recurrence, tumor-related death and the survival rate. Conclusions: In ovarian serous neoplasms, the fascin expression may be closely linked with tumor progression and metastasis, and it was associated with the up-regulation of betacatenin and E-cadherin.