Whole genome oligonucleotide-based array comparative genomic hybridization analysis identified fibroblast growth factor 1 as a prognostic marker for advanced-stage serous ovarian adenocarcinomas.

PURPOSE

To identify markers that can predict overall survival in patients with high-grade advanced stage serous adenocarcinomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was performed on 42 microdissected high-grade serous ovarian tumor samples. aCGH segments were obtained and a prediction Cox model was built and validated by the standard leave one out analysis. Both DNA and mRNA copy numbers of selected genes located on the candidate aCGH segments were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses. The gene that showed the highest correlation was further validated on an independent set of specimens and was selected for further functional studies.

RESULTS

Two chromosomal regions, 4p16.3 and 5q31-5q35.3, exhibited the strongest correlation with overall survival (P < .01). From the 5q31 region, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) was selected for further validation study. FGF-1 mRNA copy number was significantly correlated with DNA copy number and protein expression levels (P = .021 and < .001), and both FGF-1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly associated with overall survival (P = .018 and .042). This association was validated for protein expression on an independent set of 81 samples, significant to P = .006. Further studies showed significant correlation between FGF-1 protein expression and CD31+ staining in the tumor stroma (P = .024). Finally, both cancer cells and endothelial cells treated with exogenous FGF-1 showed a significant increase in cell motility and survival.

CONCLUSION

Amplification of FGF-1 at 5q31 in ovarian cancer tissues leads to increased angiogenesis, and autocrine stimulation of cancer cells, which may result in poorer overall survival in patents with high-grade advanced stage serous ovarian cancer.