OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) in ovarian cancer tissues and its correlation with clinicopathologic features, chemotherapy sensitivity, and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Paraffin tissue blocks were collected from 227 ovarian cancer patients, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to analyze the expression of ROR1. The associations between ROR1 expression and clinicopathologic features, treatment response, and prognosis were evaluated.

RESULTS

ROR1 expression and tumor load: higher expression of ROR1 was associated with a heavier tumor load in ovarian cancer patients. ROR1 and chemotherapy: the expression of ROR1 was significantly higher in patients who underwent interval debulking surgery (IDS) compared to primary debulking surgery (PDS) and subsequent chemotherapy (SSC). This suggests that chemotherapy may promote increased ROR1 expression in tumor tissues. Additionally, a trend of higher ROR1 expression was observed in platinum-sensitive patients. Nuclear expression in clear cell ovarian cancer: positive nuclear expression of ROR1 was unexpectedly detected in clear cell ovarian cancer, suggesting a link between ROR1 nuclear translocation and poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

ROR1 expression may be related to treatment strategy and history of platinum-based chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. Targeting ROR1 could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of ROR1 nuclear translocation in prognosis.