Comparative expression of caspases and annexin V in benign and malignant ovarian tumors

AIM OF STUDY: Ovarian cancer (OC) leads to high mortality rate if diagnosed at late stage. The aim of the present study was to increase the survival rate by early disease diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 females were divided into three groups. The control (n = 3), benign (n = 8), and malignant group (n = 10). We used flow cytometry to analyze cell cycle, caspase-3, -8, and annexin V. RESULTS: The results showed that the annexin V expressed in malignant group more than benign and normal groups with (P = 0.000 and P = 0.007), respectively. Caspase-3 and 8 expression decreased in benign and malignant group than in normal group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.007), respectively. Furthermore, sub-G1 apoptosis level decreased statistically significant in benign and malignant group than in normal group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.007), respectively. These data showed that (S phase) level had statistically significant increase in malignant group (P = 0.007) than the control group and marked statistically significant decrease (P = 0.000) in benign group than malignant group. This study explained changes in sub-G1 apoptosis for benign group increase statistically significant (P = 0.003) than malignant group level. CONCLUSION: Caspase-3 and -8 and annexin V may serve as diagnostic markers in OC, also explained that the decrement in control of the S phase in the cell cycle may considered one of the significant factors in the development of ovarian tumors.