Correlations among the expressions of PPARγ, ERα, and ERβin endometrial carcinoma / 中国肿瘤临床

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), estrogen re-ceptor alpha (ERα), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in endometrial carcinoma and to analyze their correlations and clinical signifi-cance. Methods:Immunohistochemical assay and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of PPARγ, ERα, and ERβin normal endometrial tissues and well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated endometrial carcinomas. Results:PPARγexpression was significantly lower in endometrial carcinoma than in the normal endometrium and was intimately associated with cli-ni-copathologic variables. ERαexpression gradually decreased in moderately and poorly differenti-ated endometrial carcinomas. How-ever, no significant differences were found between the normal endometrium and well-differentiated endometrial carcinoma. ERβex-pression only decreased in the poorly differentiated endometrial carcinoma. No significant association was observed between ERβand clinicopathologic variables. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive cor-relation between the expressions of PPARγand ERα. No correlations were observed between the expressions of ERαand ERβand between that of ERβand PPARγ. Conclusion:The expression lev-els of PPARγand ERαwere significantly associated with the clinicopathologic stage of endometrial carcinoma, and have essential functions in endometrial tumorigenesis and tumor progression.