Loss of ARID1A/BAF250a-expression in endometriosis: a biomarker for risk of carcinogenic transformation?

Mod Pathol. 2012 Jun;25(6):885-92. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2011.217. Epub 2012 Feb 3.

Abstract

Mutations of the tumor-suppressor gene ARID1A result in the loss of protein expression of the BRG-associated factor 250a (BAF250a), a large subunit of transcription-regulating Human SWI/SNF complexes, which have an important role in the control of cell proliferation and tumor suppression. ARID1A mutations are particularly frequent in endometriosis-associated ovarian clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas, and were recently described as a possible key mechanism and early step in the transformation of endometriosis into cancer. Here, we examined the immunohistochemical expression pattern of BAF250a in a tissue microarray including 74 endometriosis and 30 endometrium samples. Ovarian cancer samples (n=136) served as a control. Epithelial BAF250a expression was assessable in 90/104 (87%) and stromal BAF250a expression in 95/104 (91%) of the endometriosis, and endometrium cases due to lack of adequate tissue in some spots. Complete lack of BAF250a expression was observed in three endometriomas (n=3/20, 15%) and one deep-infiltrating endometriosis sample (n=1/22, 5%), but in none of the peritoneal endometriosis (n=0/16) and eutopic endometrium samples (n=0/30). A comparison of the mean immunoreactivity scores revealed a significantly lower expression rate of BAF250a in endometriomas compared with normal endometrium (P<0.0005), as well as peritoneal (P=0.003) and deep-infiltrating endometriosis (P=0.02). Our data demonstrates that a complete loss of BAF250a expression is observable in some endometriotic lesions, especially in endometriomas. In addition, we report that a partial loss of BAF250a expression is occurring in the form of cell clusters indicating a clonal loss of BAF250a expression in these cells. The loss of expression of the tumor-suppressor protein BAF250a in some endometriomas possibly indicates a risk of malignant transformation in these cases, which could be of importance in the determination of individual treatment strategies. However, its role and value as a prognostic parameter in endometriosis needs to be further studied.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / chemistry*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Down-Regulation
  • Endometriosis / metabolism*
  • Endometriosis / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / chemistry
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / chemistry*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Precancerous Conditions / chemistry*
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Stromal Cells / chemistry
  • Switzerland
  • Tissue Array Analysis
  • Transcription Factors / analysis*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ARID1A protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors