Ataxia-Telangiectasia and RAD3-Related and Ataxia-Telangiectasia-Mutated Proteins in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma: Their Expression and Clinical Significance.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The expression patterns of the key DNA damage response-related proteins, ataxia-telangiectasia and tfiih/ner complex atp-dependent 5'-3' dna helicase subunit rad3 (RAD3)-related (ATR) and ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) proteins in ovarian cancer are not well-known. This study aimed to evaluate the expressions of ATR and ATM proteins, and to investigate their clinical significance in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expressions of nuclear/cytoplasmic Ser428-phosphorylated ATR (p-ATR) and Ser1981-phosphorylated ATM (p-ATM) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 100 patients with EOC. The clinical significances of p-ATR and p-ATM protein expression were evaluated in terms of tumor progression and survival.

RESULTS

Low expression of cytoplasmic p-ATR was significantly associated with advanced stage, serous histology, large residual mass, and high preoperative serum CA125 level. Univariate survival analysis revealed that low expression of cytoplasmic p-ATR protein was significantly associated with poor disease-free survival and poor overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that cytoplasmic ATR protein might serve as a prognostic biomarker for patients with EOC.