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Molecular genetic evidence that endometriosis is a precursor of ovarian cancer
Author(s) -
Prowse Amanda H.,
Manek Sanjiv,
Varma Rajesh,
Liu Jinsong,
Godwin Andrew K.,
Maher Eamonn R.,
Tomlinson Ian P.M.,
Kennedy Stephen H.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.21845
Subject(s) - endometriosis , loss of heterozygosity , clear cell carcinoma , ovarian cancer , carcinoma , clear cell , biology , cancer research , oncology , cancer , allele , pathology , medicine , genetics , gene
Histopathology and epidemiology studies have consistently demonstrated a strong link between endometriosis and endometriosis‐associated ovarian cancers (EAOCs)—in particular, the endometrioid and clear cell subtypes. However, it is still unclear whether endometriosis is a precursor to EAOCs, or whether there is an indirect link because similar factors predispose to both diseases. In order to search for evidence of clonal progression, we analyzed 10 EAOCs (endometrioid = 4; clear cell = 6) with coexisting endometriosis for common molecular genetic alterations in both the carcinoma and corresponding endometriosis. We used 82 microsatellite markers spanning the genome to examine loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the coexisting carcinoma and endometriosis samples. A total of 63 LOH events were detected in the carcinoma samples; twenty two of these were also detected in the corresponding endometriosis samples. In each case, the same allele was lost in the endometriosis and cancer samples. Interestingly, no marker showed LOH in the endometriosis alone. These data provide evidence that endometriosis is a precursor to EAOCs. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.