Expression of B7-H4 in epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its significance

Objective To detect the expression of B7-H4 in epithelial ovarian carcinoma,and analyze the relationship between B7-H4 and clinical pathological characteristics,prognosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Methods The expression of B7-H4 protein was examined in 66 cases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma,5 cases of border line ovarian tumors,8 cases of benign ovarian tumors and 20 normal ovary tissues by immunohistochemical technique. The association between the expression of B7-H4 protein and clinicopathological characteristics,prognosis in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma was further analyzed. Results The positive expression rate of B7-H4 in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was 86. 4%,while it did not express in borderline ovarian tumors,benign ovarian tumors and normal ovarian tissue. The positive rates of B7-H4 protein in serous adenocarcinoma,endometrioid carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma were 100. 0%,90. 0% and 87. 5%,higher than 50. 0% in mucinous-carcinomas( P 0. 05). The positive rate of B7-H4 protein was related with clincal stage,histological grade and lymphatic metastasis,but not with age and ascites-cytology. B7-H4 was not correlated with survival of patients( P 0. 05). Conclusion The expression of B7-H4 is up-regulated in epithelial ovarian carcinoma,and it plays an important role in the occurrence and development of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.