Aim: To analyze the expression of autophagy markers p62, LC3, and Beclin1 in ovarian cancer tissue and evaluate the prognostic potential of these markers.
Methods: The study enrolled 328 patients: 122 with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, 42 with atypical proliferative tumor, and 164 with benign epithelial ovarian tumor. The expression of p62, LC3, and Beclin1 was analyzed in central and invasive tumor segments with immunohistochemistry combined with tissue microarray. The expression levels of the analyzed markers were correlated with relevant histopathology parameters.
Results: The expression of all analyzed markers was most remarkable in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. There was a strong positive correlation between the expressions of p62 and LC3, while these two markers negatively correlated with Beclin1. High-grade serous carcinoma had higher p62 and LC3 levels, and lower Beclin1 levels than other tumor types. This expression profile was also observed in more advanced tumor stages.
Conclusion: Prominent p62 and LC3 expression in combination with weak Beclin1 expression in high-grade serous carcinoma indicates potential for the application of autophagy inhibitors in patients with this tumor subtype.