Expression analysis of Galectin-1, NF-κB p65 and CXCR4 in ovarian cancer.

Abstract

Background: Ovarian Cancer (OC) is characterized by high female mortality and worst prognosis mainly due to frequent recurrences and advanced stage at disease presentation. Although there has been an advance in treatment yet there is a tremendous need for establishing prognostic markers.

Objectives: The goal of our study was to explore the expression of Galectin-1, NF-κB p65 and CXCR4 in OC tissues, association with clinico-pathological parameters and their role as prognostic markers.

Study Design: A prospective case control study.

Participants: 76 OC tissues and 10 normal ovarian tissues.

Methods: Galectin-1, NF-κB p65 and CXCR4 expression were evaluated in the ovarian tissues by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Immunohistochemical analysis of the samples demonstrated Galectin-1(Gal-1) expression in cytoplasm and nucleus of cancer cells as well as in the peritumoural stroma. NF-κB p65 was expressed in cytoplasm and nuclei of OC tissues and CXCR4 was expressed in the cytoplasm of the cancer cells. Gal-1, NF-κB p65 and CXCR4 expression in the tissue samples significantly correlated with type of cancer, FIGO stages, lymph node involved, metastasis and serum CA-125 levels of the patients. Patients with high Gal-1 expression in cytoplasm and stroma, high NF-κB p65 staining in cytoplasm and nuclei and high cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression showed poor survival. Gal-1 expression in stroma and NF-κB p65 expression in nucleus were independent prognostic factors for overall survival and disease free survival whereas,  CXCR4 expression was independent prognostic factor for disease free survival in OC patients. The expression of Gal-1, NF-κB p65 and CXCR4 in OC tissues was found to be significantly correlating with each other.

Conclusions: Gal-1, NF-κB p65 and CXCR4 are indicators of malignant phenotype and are associated with poor outcome in OC patients.

Implications: The positivity of Gal-1, NF-κB p65 and CXCR4 in the tissues could serve as novel prognostic markers.