Over-expression of nuclear NF-κB1 and c-Rel correlates with chemoresistance and prognosis of serous epithelial ovarian cancer

• Nuclear staining of NF-κB1 and c-Rel were significantly higher in chemo-resistant serous EOC tissues.
• Nuclear NF-κB1 and c-Rel expression were independent risk factors for chemoresistance of serous EOC.
• Nuclear NF-κB1 and c-Rel expression correlated with poor prognosis of serous EOC.
• Nuclear expression of NF-κB1 and c-REL were significantly positive correlated.

ObjectiveThis study aims to measure the expression and subcellular location of NF-κB1 and c-Rel protein in serous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and to test the correlation between NF-κB1 and c-Rel expression and clinicopathological parameters, chemoresistance, and prognosis of serous EOC.MethodsA total of 63 specimens of serous EOC patients meeting the inclusion criteria with complete follow-up data were enrolled in our study. The specimens were divided into chemo-resistant group and sensitive group. The expression and subcellular location of NF-κB1 and c-Rel were assessed in paraffin sections using immunohistochemistry. The relationship between NF-κB1 and c-Rel protein expression and pathological characteristics of serous EOC, chemoresistance, prognosis and survival time was analyzed.ResultsThe positive nuclear staining of NF-κB1 and c-Rel were significantly higher in the chemo-resistant serous EOC specimens than that in chemo-sensitive group.Lymph node metastasis and the nuclear expression of NF-κB1 and c-Rel were independent risk factors associated with chemotherapy resistance of serous EOC. Nucleus NF-κB1 and c-Rel expression along with FIGO stage were independent risk factors that strongly correlated with prognosis of serous EOC. Western blot result showed the protein level of NF-κB1 and c-Rel was significantly higher in chemoresistant group compared with in sensitive group.ConclusionsOver-expression of nuclear NF-κB1 and c-Rel are strong risk factors associated with chemoresistance and the prognosis of serous epithelial ovarian cancer.