Expression of p27kip1 and Cyclin D1 in Serous Epithelial Ovarian Tumors

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: p27kip1 is a member of the Cip/Kip family of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and is a potential tumor suppressor gene. Decreased expression of p27kip1 is associated with high histologic grade and poor prognosis in a variety of human tumors. METHODS: Sixty-six cases of serous epithelial ovarian tumors were investigated by immunohistochemical staining for p27kip1, cyclin D1, and Ki-67. Clinicopathologic parameters (WHO classification, histologic grade and FIGO stage) were compared with the incidence of p27kip1, cyclin D1 and Ki-67 protein expression in ovarian serous tumors. RESULTS: Reduced expression of p27kip1 was found more freguently in serous cystadenocarcinoma than in serous cystadenoma and borderline malignancy (p<0.05). The decreased expression of p27kip1 was correlated with a high histologic grade and an advanced FIGO stage. Overexpression of cyclin D1 is associated with borderline malignancy and grade I serous cystadenocarcinoma. An inverse relationship was observed between the p27kip1 protein and the Ki-67 labeling index within serous cystadenocarcinoma, but it was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced expression of p27kip1 protein plays an important role in the biologically aggressive behavior of serous epithelial ovarian tumors and might represent a useful prognostic marker for predicting the recurrence in primary ovarian tumors.