Abstract
BackgroundMuch attention has been recently focused on the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the initiation and progression of solid malignancies. Since CSCs are able to proliferate and self-renew extensively, thus sustaining tumor growth, the identification of CSCs through their antigenic profile might have relevant clinical implications. In this context, CD133 antigen has proved to be a marker of tumor cells with stemness features in several human malignancies.The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical role of the immunohistochemically assessed expression of CD133 in a large single Institution series of ovarian cancer patients.MethodsThe study included 160 cases admitted to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Catholic University of Campobasso and Rome. CD133 antigen was identified by the monoclonal mouse anti-CD133-1 antibody (clone CD133 Miltenyi biotec).ResultsIn the overall series CD133 positive tumor cells were observed in 50/160 (31.2%) cases. A diffuse cytoplasmic pattern was identified in 30/50 (60.0%), while an apical cytoplasmic pattern was found in 20/50 (40.0%) of CD133 positive tumors.As of September 2008, the median follow up was 37 months (range: 2–112). During the follow up period, progression and death of disease were observed in 123 (76.9%), and 88 (55.0%) cases, respectively. There was no difference in TTP between cases with negative (median TTP = 23 months) versus positive CD133 expression (median TTP = 24 months) (p value = 0.3). Similar results were obtained for OS. When considering the TTP and OS curves according to the pattern of CD133 expression, a trend to a worse prognosis for cases with diffuse cytoplasmic versus the apical cytoplasmic pattern was documented, although the statistical significance was not reached.ConclusionThe immunohistochemical assessment of CD133 expression seems not to provide additional prognostic information in ovarian cancer patients. The role of the different pattern of CD133 immunoreaction deserves further investigation in a larger series.
Highlights
Much attention has been recently focused on the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the initiation and progression of solid malignancies
During the follow up period, progression and death of disease were observed in 123 (76.9%), and 88 (55.0%) cases, respectively
CSCs in specific tumor types are associated with elevated expression of the stem cell surface marker CD133 [15], which can be used for the identification as well as purification and enrichment of CSCs population [4,5,6,7], by means of a specific antibody directed against the AC133 and AC141 epitopes
Summary
Much attention has been recently focused on the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the initiation and progression of solid malignancies. Since CSCs are able to proliferate and selfrenew extensively, sustaining tumor growth, the identification of CSCs through their antigenic profile might have relevant clinical implications. In this context, CD133 antigen has proved to be a marker of tumor cells with stemness features in several human malignancies. In the CSC model only a small proportion of tumor cells are proposed to be able to proliferate and self-renew extensively, sustaining tumor growth, while the bulk of cell populations proceed to differentiate into heterogeneous clones that become the phenotypic signature of the tumor [1]. CD133 (formely known as AC133) is a 5-transmembrane cell surface glycoprotein located in plasma membrane protrusions where it could act as a regulator of lipid composition, cell polarity and migration [16]
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