Migfilin, α-parvin and β-parvin are differentially expressed in ovarian serous carcinoma effusions, primary tumors and solid metastases

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to analyze the expression and clinical role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK), α-parvin, β-parvin and migfilin in advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma.MethodsExpression of these 4 proteins was investigated in 205 effusions and in 94 patient-matched solid lesions (33 primary tumors and 61 solid metastases) using immunohistochemistry. Protein expression was analyzed for association with clinicopathologic parameters and survival.ResultsILK, α-parvin, β-parvin and migfilin were expressed in tumor cells in 53%, 2%, 28% and 53% of effusions and 57%, 20%, 83% and 25% of solid lesions, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significantly higher α-parvin and β-parvin expression in primary carcinomas (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively) and solid metastases (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), compared to effusions, with opposite findings for migfilin (p = 0.006 and p = 0.008 for primary carcinomas and solid metastases, respectively). ILK expression was comparable at all anatomic sites. β-Parvin expression in effusions was associated with better response to chemotherapy at diagnosis (p = 0.014), with no other significant association with clinicopathologic parameters or survival. Expression in primary tumors and solid metastases was similarly unrelated to clinicopathologic parameters or survival.ConclusionsThis study provides further evidence to our previous observations that the adhesion profile of ovarian serous carcinoma cells in effusions differs from their counterparts in primary carcinomas and solid metastases. β-Parvin may be a novel marker of chemoresponse in metastatic ovarian carcinoma.

► α-Parvin, β-parvin and migfilin are differentially expressed at various anatomic sites in serous ovarian carcinoma, while ILK expression is unaltered. ► Higher β-parvin expression is associated with better response to chemotherapy at diagnosis. ► ILK, α-parvin, β-parvin and migfilin protein expression is unrelated to overall or progression-free survival in serous ovarian carcinoma.