Expression of the imprinted H19 oncofetal RNA in epithelial ovarian cancer

Study: To examine the expression of the imprinted maternally expressed H19 gene in benign, low malignant potential (borderline) and malignant surface epithelial ovarian tumors. Design: In situ hybridization for H19 RNA using S-labeled and digoxigenin-labeled probes was performed on paraffin sections of ovarian surface epithelial tumors. The serous tumors included nine sect ion cystadenomas, twelve serous tumors of low malignant potential and twent y serous carcinomas, grade I-IIII (FIGO classification). A smaller group in cluded two mucinous cystadenomas, four mucinous tumors of low malignant pot ential and two mucinous cystadenocarcinomas. Results: H19 expression was fo und to be positive in 6/9 (67%) serous cystadenomas, 9/12 (75%) of serous t umors of low malignant potential and 13/20 (65%) of invasive serous carcino mas. Expression in mucinous tumors was confined to the stroma beneath the e pithelial lining. Conclusion: H19 is expressed in the majority of serous ep ithelial tumors. Taking into consideration the high percentage of H19 expre ssing serous ovarian neoplasms we suggest that H19 RNA may be used as an ad juvant tumor marker for the diagnosis and mainly for staging and follow-up of patients with serous ovarian carcinoma. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.