Analysis of p53 and UCHL1 by Immunohistochemistry in Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Carcinoma

Indianapolis, IN

Ovarian cancer affects 1 in 79 women with a five year survival rate under 50%. This is because it goes undetected until it spreads through the abdomen. In this study, six tissue microarrays (TMAs) containing ovarian cancer cases and fallopian tubes were examined. Two biomarker antibodies were used to determine the amount of expression in the cancer tissues. These markers were then compared to clinical data and evaluated for expression that could predict grade and stage of the tumor. P53 is one of the major tumor suppressor gene and it prevents the formation of tumor cells; its loss of function is seen in about 50% of most major tumors. The second biomarker antibody was ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1); it is seen in neurons and cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system and the associated tumors. UCHL1 has been found in both tumors of the testes and ovaries. Immunostaining with the antibodies (DAKO) were preformed using the DAKO-flex immunostaining platform system. The whole TMA slides were digitally imaged using the Aperio Digital Imaging System. The created SVS digital images were quantified using the Aperio positive pixel algorithm image analysis software. In this study, 31.6% of the fallopian tubules and 34.3% of the ovarian cancers were positive with p53 expression. Likewise, 28.9% of the fallopian tubules and 61.1% of the ovarian cancers were positive with UCHL1. The normal fallopian tubes were negative. In conclusion, ovarian cancers expressed higher levels of both p53 and UCHL1 than the fallopian tubes.