Ultrasound screening of ovarian cancer

Chemerin and Chemokine-like Receptor 1 Expression in Ovarian Cancer Associates with Proteins Involved in Estrogen Signaling

Chemerin, a pleiotropic adipokine coded by the RARRES2 gene, has been reported to affect the pathophysiology of various cancer entities. To further approach the role of this adipokine in ovarian cancer (OC), intratumoral protein levels of chemerin and its receptor chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) were examined by immunohistochemistry analyzing tissue microarrays with tumor samples from 208 OC patients. Since chemerin has been reported to affect the female reproductive system, associations with proteins involved in steroid hormone signaling were analyzed. Additionally, correlations with ovarian cancer markers, cancer-related proteins, and survival of OC patients were examined. A positive correlation of chemerin and CMKLR1 protein levels in OC (Spearman's rho = 0.6, p < 0.0001) was observed. Chemerin staining intensity was strongly associated with the expression of progesterone receptor (PR) (Spearman´s rho = 0.79, p < 0.0001). Both chemerin and CMKLR1 proteins positively correlated with estrogen receptor β (ERβ) and estrogen-related receptors. Neither chemerin nor the CMKLR1 protein level was associated with the survival of OC patients. At the mRNA level, in silico analysis revealed low RARRES2 and high CMKLR1 expression associated with longer overall survival. The results of our correlation analyses suggested the previously reported interaction of chemerin and estrogen signaling to be present in OC tissue. Further studies are needed to elucidate to which extent this interaction might affect OC development and progression.

Anti-Tumoral Effect of Chemerin on Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines Mediated by Activation of Interferon Alpha Response

Simple Summary

Chemerin is a multifunctional protein with an important role in the immune system. Recent evidence showed that chemerin also regulates the development of cancer. Ovarian cancer is a common type of tumor in women. In this study, we observed that chemerin decreases the growth of ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro when cultivated in standard cell culture or in globular multicellular aggregates. When we examined the mechanisms involved in this process, we found that treatment of ovarian cancer cells with chemerin led to the activation of genes that are known to mediate the effects of interferon alpha (IFNα). The main effect of IFNα is to defend body cells against viral infections, but it is also able to defeat cancer cells. We observed that this activation of IFNα response by chemerin resulted from the increased production of IFNα protein in ovarian cancer cells, which then reduced cancer cells numbers. However, it remains to be investigated how exactly chemerin might be able to activate interferon alpha and its anti-tumoral actions.

Abstract

The pleiotropic adipokine chemerin affects tumor growth primarily as anti-tumoral chemoattractant inducing immunocyte recruitment. However, little is known about its effect on ovarian adenocarcinoma. In this study, we examined chemerin actions on ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro and intended to elucidate involved cell signaling mechanisms. Employing three ovarian cancer cell lines, we observed differentially pronounced effects of this adipokine. Treatment with chemerin (huChem-157) significantly reduced OVCAR-3 cell numbers (by 40.8% on day 6) and decreased the colony and spheroid growth of these cells by half. The spheroid size of SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells was also significantly reduced upon treatment. Transcriptome analyses of chemerin-treated cells revealed the most notably induced genes to be interferon alpha (IFNα)-response genes like IFI27, OAS1 and IFIT1 and their upstream regulator IRF9 in all cell lines tested. Finally, we found this adipokine to elevate IFNα levels about fourfold in culture medium of the employed cell lines. In conclusion, our data for the first time demonstrate IFNα as a mediator of chemerin action in vitro. The observed anti-tumoral effect of chemerin on ovarian cancer cells in vitro was mediated by the notable activation of IFNα response genes, resulting from the chemerin-triggered increase of secreted levels of this cytokine.

Deregulated miRNA clusters in ovarian cancer: Imperative implications in personalized medicine

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common and fatal types of gynecological cancer. OC is usually detected at the advanced stages of the disease, making it highly lethal. miRNAs are single-stranded, small non-coding RNAs with an approximate size ranging around 22 nt. Interestingly, a considerable proportion of miRNAs are organized in clusters with miRNA genes placed adjacent to one another, getting transcribed together to result in miRNA clusters (MCs). MCs comprise two or more miRNAs that follow the same orientation during transcription. Abnormal expression of the miRNA cluster has been identified as one of the key drivers in OC. MC exists both as tumor-suppressive and oncogenic clusters and has a significant role in OC pathogenesis by facilitating cancer cells to acquire various hallmarks. The present review summarizes the regulation and biological function of MCs in OC. The review also highlights the utility of abnormally expressed MCs in the clinical management of OC.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Benign and Malignant Ovarian Masses Versus Pathologic Outcomes

Background:

The results of the former study confirmed the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the origin and content of ovarian masses. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI in differentiating benign and malignant ovarian masses in women.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study. All candidates for surgery to remove ovarian masses were selected to participate in this study. They underwent MRI with gadolinium before the surgery. MRI images were reviewed by an experienced radiologist who was aware of the ovarian mass found in pelvic ultrasonography (US). A thick-enhancing wall, mural nodules, septations, and internal enhancement within the mass were reviewed by the radiologist. Mass specimens were examined in the laboratory by an experienced pathologist to determine malignancy or benignancy of the masses. Pathological findings were compared with MRI results.

Results:

there was no significant difference between MRI findings and pathology denoted by benign and malignant (P = 0.06), but results showed a significant difference between US and pathology (P = 0.002). In MRI findings related to a thick-enhancing wall (P = 0.18), internal enhancement (P = 0.18), and pelvic fluid (P = 1.00), no significant difference was seen in benign or malignant masses. However, in findings related to septation, all cases had malignant reports (P = 0.006), and in mural nodule, 80% had malignant reports (P = 0.006). CA-125 blood level in patients with benign masses (1.72 ± 0.97) was significantly less than patients with malignant masses (3.20 ± 0.83) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

We showed that MRI has better results in diagnosing adnexal masses and their characteristics compared to simple ultrasound imaging based on pathological studies.