[Survivin expression in ovarian carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible relationship between expression of survivin and molecular mechanisms in patients with ovarian carcinoma (OC). METHODS: Survivin expressions in normal ovaries (n= 10), ovarian bordline tumors (n = 21), and ovarian serous cystadenomas (n = 38) were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: No survivin protein was expressed in normal ovaries. Survivin protein was found in cytoplasm and/or in nucleus of tumor cell. Survivin expression was revealed in 42.9% (9/21) of ovarian bordline tumors; no significant correlation was observed between survivin expression and pathologic types or CA125 values (P > 0.05). Survivin protein was found in 76.3% (29/38) of ovarian serous cystadenomas, displaying a significantly higher expression than that in bordline tumors (P < 0.05). Survivin expression was positively correlated with tumor stage, histological grade and lymphonode metastasis (P < 0.05), whereas it was not significantly correlated with CA125 values, volume of ascites, and presence/absence of tumor cells in ascites (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: High expression of Survivin protein may be related with the differentiation and metastasis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.