High TRIM44 expression in endometrial carcinoma is associated with a poorer patient outcome.

BACKGROUND

Tripartite motif-containing protein 44 (TRIM44) has been recently identified as a novel oncogene that is overexpressed in several types of human cancers; however, its role in endometrial cancer (EC) remains unknown. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the TRIM44 protein expression and clinicopathological significance of TRIM44 in EC.

METHODS

Paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were collected from 143 patients with EC for the immunohistochemical analysis of TRIM44 expression. Western blotting was performed to evaluate differences in TRIM44 protein expression in EC and normal endometrial tissues.

RESULTS

TRIM44 expression was low in normal tissues and high in EC tissues (P < 0.001). TRIM44 overexpression was significantly associated with the Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, histological grade, depth of myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Moreover, TRIM44 expression was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with EC (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides evidence that TRIM44 predicts the risk of development and prognosis of EC, highlighting its potential application as a therapeutic target for this malignancy.