Clinicopathological significance of steroidogenic factor-1 expression in ovarian cancer versus ovarian sex cord stromal tumor

Ectopic adrenal cortical tissue presenting as gastrohepatic ligament "lymph node" diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration: A case report

Ectopic adrenal cortical tissue has been reported in several locations, most often involving the retroperitoneal fat close to the adrenal gland. The reported cases presenting adjacent or proximal to the stomach are rare and mostly diagnosed on histology. To our knowledge, the cytologic features of ectopic adrenal cortical tissue diagnosed on fine needle aspiration are not well documented in the cytology literature. We describe the cytologic features of ectopic adrenal cortex which initially presented on imaging study as an enlarged gastrohepatic ligament "lymph node" on a patient with gastric signet ring cell carcinoma. The aspirates showed small clusters and cords of uniform cells with abundant vacuolated to densely compact cytoplasm, occasionally stripped nuclei, and delicate frayed cytoplasmic membranes dispersed in a bubbly, vacuolated background. Immunohistochemical stains performed on the corresponding cell block showed these cells were positive for SF-1 and negative for PAX 8. The corresponding biopsy showed similar findings in addition to immunoreactivity to inhibin. Because the cytologic features of ectopic adrenal cortical tissue especially on unusual sites could easily mimic malignant neoplasms, familiarity with the cytologic features in conjunction with immunohistochemical stains are key in arriving at the correct diagnosis and avoiding misdiagnosis.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of matched primary and distant metastatic ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND

High grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) with poor prognosis. In most cases EOC is widely disseminated at the time of diagnosis. Despite the optimal cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy most patients develop chemoresistance, and the 5-year overall survival being only 25-35%.

METHODS

Here we analyzed the gene expression profiles of 10 primary HGSOC tumors and 10 related omental metastases using RNA sequencing and identified 100 differentially expressed genes.

RESULTS

The differentially expressed genes were associated with decreased embryogenesis and vasculogenesis and increased cellular proliferation and organismal death. Top upstream regulators responsible for this gene signature were NR5A1, GATA4, FOXL2, TP53 and BMP7. A subset of these genes were highly expressed in the ovarian cancer among the cancer transcriptomes of The Cancer Genome Atlas. Importantly, the metastatic gene signature was suggestive of poor survival in TCGA data based on gene enrichment analysis.

CONCLUSION

By comparing the gene expression profiles of primary HGSOC tumors and their matched metastasis, we provide evidence that a signature of 100 genes is able to separate these two sample types and potentially predict patient survival. Our study identifies functional categories of genes and transcription factors that could play important roles in promoting metastases and serve as markers for cancer prognosis.

The Orphan Nuclear Receptors Steroidogenic Factor-1 and Liver Receptor Homolog-1: Structure, Regulation, and Essential Roles in Mammalian Reproduction

Nuclear receptors are intracellular proteins that act as transcription factors. Proteins with classic nuclear receptor domain structure lacking identified signaling ligands are designated orphan nuclear receptors. Two of these, steroidogenic factor-1 (NR5A1, also known as SF-1) and liver receptor homolog-1 (NR5A2, also known as LRH-1), bind to the same DNA sequences, with different and nonoverlapping effects on targets. Endogenous regulation of both is achieved predominantly by cofactor interactions. SF-1 is expressed primarily in steroidogenic tissues, LRH-1 in tissues of endodermal origin and the gonads. Both receptors modulate cholesterol homeostasis, steroidogenesis, tissue-specific cell proliferation, and stem cell pluripotency. LRH-1 is essential for development beyond gastrulation and SF-1 for genesis of the adrenal, sexual differentiation, and Leydig cell function. Ovary-specific depletion of SF-1 disrupts follicle development, while LRH-1 depletion prevents ovulation, cumulus expansion, and luteinization. Uterine depletion of LRH-1 compromises decidualization and pregnancy. In humans, SF-1 is present in endometriotic tissue, where it regulates estrogen synthesis. SF-1 is underexpressed in ovarian cancer cells and overexpressed in Leydig cell tumors. In breast cancer cells, proliferation, migration and invasion, and chemotherapy resistance are regulated by LRH-1. In conclusion, the NR5A orphan nuclear receptors are nonredundant factors that are crucial regulators of a panoply of biological processes, across multiple reproductive tissues.

Ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma with functioning stroma in postmenopausal women: aromatase and SF-1 expressions

Background

A high serum estradiol (E2) level is occasionally detected in postmenopausal women with common epithelial ovarian tumors with functioning stroma. It has been proven that functioning stroma has the capacity to convert androgens to estrogens. However, the mechanism of the initiation and development of functioning stroma remains unclear.

Case Presentation

We present two cases of elevated E2 levels in elderly women with ovarian mucinous adenocarcinomas that contained functioning stroma. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed high expression levels of aromatase and steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), which is considered to be a master regulator of steroidogenesis, in their ovarian stroma.

Conclusions

These cases suggest that overexpression of SF-1 may promote estrogen biosynthesis through regulation of P450 aromatase expression in ovarian tumors with functioning stroma; this in turn induces high serum E2 levels in postmenopausal women with common epithelial ovarian tumors.