317 Role of integrins in the metastatic spread of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Abstract

<h3>Introduction/Background*</h3> In high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) an early intraperitoneal metastatic spread is common which determines the therapeutical approach and prognosis. Integrins may be involved in metastatic spread of HGSOC. In this study, integrin expression was examined in primary tumour and metastases of HGSOC. <h3>Methodology</h3> The expression of integrin α2, α4, α5, α6, and β1 was assessed by immunostaining in tumour samples of the ovary, omentum, and peritoneum of each patient. Differences in integrin expression among tumour localisations and their association with clinicopathological parameters were examined by Fisher’s exact test. The impact of integrin expression on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was examined by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. <h3>Result(s)*</h3> 113 tumour samples of 40 HGSOC patients were examined. The expression of the integrins did not differ between the three tumour localisations (all p-values &gt;0.05) with the exception of the expression of integrin β1 in primary tumour and omentum (77.5% versus 57.5%, p=0.014). Significant differences were also observed with respect to high expression of integrin α4 in primary tumour and omentum (52.5% versus 47.5%, p=0.008) and primary tumour and peritoneum (52.5% versus 47.5%, p=0.050). High expression of integrin α4 in peritoneum was associated with poorer PFS (HR=2.02 95% CI 1.01-4.05, p=0.047), younger age (p=0.047) and death (p=0.046). Median PFS in patients with high expression of integrin α4 was 13.00 months whereas median PFS in patients without high expression of integrin α4 was 21.00 months (p=0.040). Expression of integrin α2, α5, α6, and β1 did not correlate with PFS or OS. <h3>Conclusion*</h3> Expression of integrin α4 may be altered during the metastasic spread of HGSOC and affect the prognosis. Expression of integrin α2, α5, α6, and β1 did not reveal any prognostic value in HGSOC, even if expression of integrin β1 differed between primary tumour and omental metastases.