A systematic review and meta-analysis of hormone receptor expression in low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

Abstract

ObjectiveSerous ovarian carcinoma is the most common histological type of ovarian cancer, with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) being more common than low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC). Despite pathogenic and clinical differences, both grades of serous ovarian carcinoma share the propensity to express receptors for the female hormones – oestrogen (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) – albeit in differing frequencies. Study designSystematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the expression of hormone receptors in LGSOC, and comparison with expression in HGSOC. ResultsExpression of ERs is observed in 80.7 % of patients with LGSOC [95 % confidence interval (CI) 72.2–89.1 %] and 61.5 % of patients with HGSOC (95 % CI 38.8–84.1 %). Expression of PRs is observed in 54.4 % of patients with LGSOC (95 % CI 44.3–64.4 %) and 30.7 % of patients with HGSOC (95 % CI 15.7–45.7 %). ConclusionA higher percentage of LGSOCs are positive for ER expression compared with HGSOCs. Similarly, a higher percentage of LGSOCs are positive for PR expression, although PR expression is lower than ER expression. Expression of hormone receptors may represent a therapeutic opportunity for treatment with agents that block their activity, especially in LGSOC which is less responsive to chemotherapy and therapeutic options are limited.