Expressions of Apaf-1 and Caspase-9 in ovarian serous carcinoma and their clinical significance

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expressions of Apaf-1 and Caspase-9 protein in ovarian serous carcinoma(OSC) and their clinicopathological significance. Methods The expressions of Apaf-1 and Caspase-9 protein in 45 cases of OSC, 60 cases of ovarian serous cystadenomas and 32 cases of ovarian borderline serous cystadenomas were detected by immunohistochemical SP method.The relationship between the expressions of these two proteins and the clinicopathological features of OSC and the correlation between Apaf-1 and Caspase-9 expressions in OSC were analyzed. Results The positive rates of Apaf-1 in OSC, ovarian serous cystadenoma and ovarian borderline serous cystadenoma were 24.4%(11/45), 75.0%(45/60) and 46.9%(15/32), the difference was statistically significant (χ2=26.734, P<0.01). Apaf-1 expression was correlated with pathological grade, clinical stage and lymph nodes metastasis (χ2=6.318, 7.565, 5.554, P<0.05). The expression rates of Caspase-9 in OSC, ovarian serous cystadenoma and ovarian borderline serous cystadenoma were 28.9%(13/45), 83.3%(50/60) and 56.3%(18/32), the difference was statistically significant (χ2=31.682, P<0.01). The expression of Caspase-9 was correlated with pathological grade, clinical stage and lymph nodes metastasis (χ2=5.750, 4.391, 5.466, P<0.05). In OSC, the expressions of Apaf-1 and Capase-9 were positively correlated (k=0.433, P=0.003). Conclusion The low expressions of Apaf-1 and Caspase-9 in OSC may be related to the occurrence and development of OSC. Key words: Apaf-1; Caspase-9; Ovarian serous carcinoma; Immunohistochemical method