EXPRESSION OF MUC1 AND MUC2 MUCINS IN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN-TUMORS

This is the first study to describe the association between expression of MUC1 and MUC2 mucins and prognosis in ovarian cancer, Paraffin sec tions of epithelial ovarian tumours (n=182:29 benign, 21 low malignant potential, and 132 invasive tumours) were analysed immunohistochemica lly for expression of MUC1 and MUC2 mucin core proteins, Most benign, low malignant potential, and invasive rumours showed high MUC1 express ion in the cytoplasm. Low cytoplasmic expression of MUC1 was a predict or for good prognosis, particularly within stage III tumours, A minori ty of benign epithelial rumours, but most low malignant potential and invasive non-mucinous tumours, showed high MUC1 expression on the cell membrane, High apical MUC1 reactivity was associated with non-mucinou s tumours, Low expression of MUC1 in the apical membrane was associate d with early stage and good outcome for invasive tumours, Most benign and low malignant potential tumours, but only a minority of invasive t umours, showed MUC2 expression. MUC2 was found in non-mucinous as well as in mucinous rumours, The presence of MUC2 was inversely associated with high tumour grade but was not associated with altered survival. These results support experimental evidence that MUC1 influences the m etastatic ability of ovarian cancer. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.