Phospho-fms (p-fms) Expression in ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors

Introduction: The macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor (CSF-1 R) i s encoded by the c-fms protooncogene. Over-expression of CSF-1 R has been o bserved to be a poor prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer. Little is known about the significance of CSF-1 R (fms) expression in other ovari an turners such as sex cord-stromal tumors. Materials and Methods: Activated CSF-1 R (p-fms) expression was studied imm unohistochemically in a series of 59 ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors and mi scellaneous tumors using a phosphotyrosine specific antibody and a standard immunoperoxidase technique. Results: Positive p-fms immunostaining was detected in a majority of sex co rd-stromal tumors (6/7 adult granulosa cell tumors, 6/6 juvenile granulosa cell tumors, 2/3 thecomas, 3/3 fibromas, 3/3 sclerosing stromal tumors, 5/5 Sertoli cell tumors, 5/5 Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, 1/1 gynandroblastoma, 3/5 sex cord tumors with annular tubules, and 5/5 steroid cell tumors). in addition, 3/3 gonadoblastomas, 3/3 endometrioid stromal sarcomas, 4/5 smal l cell carcinomas of hypercalcemic type, and 4/5 wolffian tumors were also p-fms positive. Conclusion: Activated CSF-1 R (p-fms) is detectable in most ovarian sex cor d-stromal tumors. in contrast to epithelial ovarian cancer, there is no evi dent correlation between fms overexpression and an aggressive phenotype in sex cord-stromal tumors, since many of the positive tumors are clinically b enign.