Abstract
Purpose: Sphingosine-kinase-1 (SPHK1) is a key enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism which is involved in ovarian cancer pathogenesis, progression and mechanisms of drug resistance. It is overexpressed in a variety of cancer subtypes. We investigated SPHK1 expression as a prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Methods: Expression analysis of SPHK1 was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from 1005 ovarian cancer patients with different histological subtypes using immunohistochemistry. Staining intensity of positive tumor cells was assessed semi-quantitatively, and results were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Results: In our ovarian cancer collective, high levels of SPHK1 expression correlated significantly with complete surgical tumor resection (p = 0.002) and lower FIGO stage (p = 0.04). Progression-free and overall survival were further significantly longer in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer and overexpression of SPHK1 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: Our data identify high levels of SPHK1 expression as a potential favorable prognostic marker in ovarian cancer patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
| Volume | 147 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1421-1430 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISSN | 0171-5216 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 05.2021 |
Research Areas and Centers
- Research Area: Luebeck Integrated Oncology Network (LION)
- Centers: University Cancer Center Schleswig-Holstein (UCCSH)
DFG Research Classification Scheme
- 2.22-21 Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- 2.22-14 Hematology, Oncology
- 2.21-05 Immunology
