Purpose of the investigation: The evaluation of L1 (CAM) as a tumor progression marker and as a prognostic factor in serous ovarian tumors.
Methods: L1 (CAM) protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in serous ovarian tumors [cystadenomas (n = 20), borderline tumors (n = 14) and carcinomas (n = 47)], and was correlated with stage,grade, progression-free survival time (PFS) and overall survival.
Results: L1 (CAM) immunoreactivity correlated significantly with stage and grade. It increased from benign tumors to early carcinomas and to advanced stage carcinomas progressively and significantly. In Stage III G3 carcinoma patients, low L1 (CAM) expressing tumors exhibited better response to chemotherapy and were associated with statistically significantly longer PFS (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: L1 (CAM) expression represents a novel diagnostic marker in serous ovarian neoplasms that shows characteristics of tumor progression. L1 expression was associated with chemotherapy response.