Background: Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a newly discovered tumor suppressor. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of PDCD4 in epithelial ovarian cancer.
Materials and methods: PDCD4 expression in 20 normal human ovaries and 69 serous ovarian tumors was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The relationships between PDCD4 expression, clinicopathological data and patient survival were evaluated.
Results: PDCD4 expression was found to be lost or significantly lower in serous cystadenocarcinomas compared with that in normal ovaries and serous cystadenomas (p<0.05). The loss or reduction of PDCD4 expression in serous cystadenocarcinomas was significantly associated with higher pathological grade (p=0.0118) and poorer disease-specific survival of patients (p=0.0011). Multivariant Cox regression analysis revealed that PDCD4 expression was an independent prognostic factor for serous cystadenocarcinoma.
Conclusion: Lost or reduced PDCD4 expression is associated with the progression of serous cystadenocarcinomas and may serve as an important prognostic marker.