Expression of Skp2 in Epithel ial Ovarian Tumors and Its Clinical Significance

Objective 　This study detected the expression of Skp2 in epithelial ovarian tumors and analyzed the relationship between it s expression levels and clinicopathological parameters in ovarian adenocarcinomas. The purpose is to explore its role in the tumorigenesis and development of epithelial ovarian tumors and to identify it s significance in evaluating the prognosis of ovarian adenocarcinomas. Methods 　Expression of Skp2 was examined by immunohistochemist ry in 81 epithelial ovarian tumors 13 adenomas, 12 borderline adenomas, and 56 adenocarcinomas . Results of immunohistochemistry were correlated with clinicopathological variables. Results 　Expression of Skp2 was detected in neither ovarian adenomas nor borderline adenomas. In cont rast, it was detected in 46. 43 % (26/ 56) of adenocarcinomas. Positive expression of Skp2 was detected significantly more often in adenocarcinomas than that of borderline adenomas ( P < 0. 0001), which was significantly more often than that of adenomas ( P < 0. 0001) in turn. Counting the percentage of positive cells of 26 adenocarcinomas with Skp2 positive expression indicated that the expression level of Skp2 was significantly higher in advanced2grade specimens compared with early-grade ones ( P < 0. 01) . In addition, the level of Skp2 expression also significantly associated with clinical stage ( P < 0. 01) and positive lymph node metastasis ( P < 0. 05) of ovarian adenocarcinomas. Conclusion 　Skp2 expression may play an important role in the development and progression of ovarian adenocarcinomas, and Skp2 expression can be used as a assistant marker of estimating the prognosis of ovarian adenocarcinomas patient s. The higher expression levels indicates poorer prognosis.