[Expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 and their clinical implications in epithelial ovarian cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlations among OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 and their association with the clinicopathological features of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: A total of 207 specimens of EOC and 65 specimens of benign ovarian epithelial tumor tissues were examined for expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 proteins using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The positivity rates of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 in EOC tissues were 60.0%, 61.8% and 60.9%, respectively, significantly higher than the rates in benign epithelial tumor tissues (9.2%, 6.2%, and 0, respectively; P<0.05). The expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 in EOC were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, FIGO stage, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). DLL4 was positively correlated with OCT4 and Notch1 expressions (r=0.758 and 0.704, respectively, P<0.001), and the latter two were also positively correlated (r=0.645, P<0.001). Overexpressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 were associated with a poor prognosis, and the survival rate was significantly lower in patients positive for OCT4, Notch1, and DLL4 than in the negative patients (P<0.05). FIGO stage and expressions of OCT4 and DLL4 were independent prognostic factors of EOC (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 are correlated with the differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and prognosis of EOC. Combined detection of the 3 proteins has an important value in predicting the progression and prognosis of EOC.

[The expression of KAI1 in gastric adenocarcinoma and relationship with angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis].

OBJECTIVE: To seek good markers to predict invasion and metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). METHODS: Expression of Kangai 1 (KAI1), CD34, and D2-40 were examined by immunohistochemistry containing 145 specimens of GAC and 50 specimens of normal gastric tissue. Microvessel density (MVD) and lymph vessel density (LVD) were determined by the mean number of small CD34-positive or D2-40-positive vessels counted. And the relationship of KAI1, MVD and LVD, as well as the role of them on invasion, metastasis and prognosis in GAC were analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rate of KAI1, the median scores of MVD and LVD in normal gastric tissue and GAC tissue were 92.0%, (9.2 +/- 7.8)/LP, (7.5 +/- 7.6)/LP and 37.2%, (21.6 +/- 9. 1)/ LP, (22.6 +/- 12.7)/LP, respectively. And there was a significant different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The expression of KAI1, the scores of MVD and LVD were significantly related with pathologic-tumor-node metastasis (pTNM) stages, depth of invation and lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between the expression of KAI1 and the scores of MVD or LVD. The survival rate of the KAI1-positive or KAI1-negative group was significantly different (P < 0.01); the survival rates were significantly lower in MVD > or = 22's group than that in MVD < 22's group, so was the same relationship between the LVD > or = 23's group and the LVD < 23's group (both P < 0.01). Cox regression analysis: pTNM stage, expression of KAI1, and the scores of MVD were independent factors of postoperative survival time in GAC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined detection of KAI1, CD34, and D2-40 has an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of GAC.

[Correlation between bacterial L-form infection, expression of HIF-1α/MMP-9 and vasculogenic mimicry in epithelial ovarian cancer].

The aim of the present study is to explore whether vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and bacterial L-form infection exist in human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or not and to elucidate the correlation of L-form infection, expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/MMP-9 and VM. In 87 specimens of EOC and 20 specimens of ovarian benign epithelial tumor tissues, L-form infection was detected by Gram's staining, expression of HIF-1α/MMP-9 and VM were detected by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. The results showed that the positive rates of HIF-1α and MMP-9 protein in EOC were 52.9% and 66.7%, while in benign epithelial tumor tissues, the positive rates were 10.0% and 10.0% respectively, and there were significant differences between them (P < 0.05). In EOC and benign epithelial tumor tissues, L-form infections ratios were 24.1% and 0, respectively, and the difference was also significant (P < 0.01). Expression of VM, HIF-1α and MMP-9 in EOC was significantly related to differentiation, abdominal implantation and lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage (P < 0.01). L-form infection had relationship with abdominal implantation, lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage (P < 0.01 or 0.05). The expression of HIF-1α had positive relationship with expression of MMP-9 and VM (r = 0.505, 0.585, respectively, P < 0.01); there was also a positive relationship between MMP-9 expression and VM (r = 0.625, P < 0.01). Overexpression of VM, HIF-1α and MMP-9 were related to poor prognosis: the survival rates were significantly lower in positive patients than those in negative patients (P < 0.05). And the group with L-form infection also had poor prognosis: the survival rates were lower than those in group without infection (P < 0.05). FIGO stage, expression of VM, HIF-1α and MMP-9 were independent prognosis factors of EOC (P < 0.05). The results suggest that L-form infection, the expression of HIF-1α, MMP-9 and VM in EOC are related to differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and prognosis. Combined detection of these indexes has an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of EOC.