The Expression Of SOX17and β-catenin In Endometrial Cancer And Its Clinical Meaning

Background and PurposeEndometrial cancer is one group of endometrial epithelial malignant tumors among which the adenocarcinoma deriving from endometrial glands is the most common one. It is one of three major malignant tumors occurring in female genital tract, accounting for7%in all woman malignant tumors and20%-30%in the female genital tract tumors, and its worldwide incidence is still rising in recent years. Until now, the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer is not yet clear, therefore, exploring its molecular mechanisms and finding the molecular therapeutic approaches become the focus of current studies. Recently, it has been reported that the occurrence of endometrial cancer is related to the disorder of Wnt signal transduction pathway.SOX17is a new tumor suppressor genes found in recent years, through its regulation of Wnt signaling pathway involved in the growth, development and disease development. In some tumors Wnt activity increased caused by the decreased of SOX17, thereby causing the deterioration of the tumor.β--catenin is a multifunctional intracellular protein, intercellular adhesion connection and the signal transduction of the dual function, and participates in a variety of cellular signal transduction pathways.lt is an important regulation of Wnt signaling pathway, and have a close relationship with tumors. This study aims to examine the role played by SOX17and (3-catenin and their correlation in the development of endometrial carcinoma through detecting and comparingtheir expression levels in the tissues of endometrial carcinoma, endometrial complex hyperplasia and normal endometrium thus providing certain theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatmen of endometrial cancer.Material and Methods1.GroupingEndometrial carcinoma group:50cases of endometrial cancer confirmed by surgical pathology were collected from the department of the department of pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between July2009and December2011. Pathological grade showed that9cases were high differentiated (G1),30cases were middle differentiated (G2) and11cases were low differentiated (G3). The typical cancerous tissues were selected for study.Endometrial complex hypertrophy group:20cases of endometrial complex hyperplasia confirmed by hysteroscopy and surgical pathology were collected from the department of gynaecology and obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between July2009and December2011.Control group with Normal endometrium proliferative phase:15cases with normal endometrium confirmed by hysteroscopy and surgical pathology were collected from the department of gynaecology and obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between July201Oand December2011.2.MethodsThe levels of SOX17and β-catenin in cases of the three groups were respectively detected using immunohistochemistry.3.Statistical analysisThe data was analyzed using SPSS17.0software and represented in the form of x±s. Differences among groups were analyzed using Χ2test and the correlation analysis was operated using Spearmon correlation analysis. P<0.05was thought to be statistically significant.Results1.Expression of SOX17 (1) Positive expressions of SOX17are mainly located in the nuclei, and a few located in the cytoplasm or cell membranes. In endometrial carcinoma group, positive expression rate is38%, most of which are weakly positive, compared to extreamly few positive expressions. It is14cases of normal endometrium proliferative phase that is composed of15cases have been strongly positive,. In endometrial complex hypertrophy group, SOX17delivered a positive expression rate of75%, mostly of which are weak positive expression.(2) Compared with normal endometrium proliferative phase, SOX17expressed an obviously decreased level in endometrial complex hypertrophy group or endometrial carcinoma group. Differences are statistically significant (P<0.05). Positive expressin rate of SOX17in endometrial carcinoma group is lower than endometrial complex hypertrophy group. Differences are statistically significant (P<0.05).2. expression of β-catenin(1) Positive expressions of β-catenin are mainly located in the cell membrane and (or) the cytoplasm. Its positive expressin rate is82.00%, compared with55.00%in endometrial complex hypertrophy group and20.00%in normal endometrium proliferative phase group.(2) The expression level dropped down from endometrial carcinoma group, complex hypertrophy group to normal endometrium proliferative phase group. Comparative differences among three sets are statistically significant (P<0.05).3Relationship between SOX17and β-cateninThe correlation analysis of SOX17and β-catenin expression in Endometrial carcinoma: Pearson correlation analysis showed that the SOX17expression was negatively correlated with β-catenin expression (r=-0.332, P<0.05)Conclusions1. SOX17is lower expression in Endometrial carcinoma and Endometrial hyperplasia of complexity Group. This means that the changes of SOX17gene expression play a vital role in the development of endometrial carcinoma.2. β-catenin is higher expression in Endometrial carcinoma, and is closely related to depth of myometrial invasion, prompted the development of endometrial cancer and plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis.3. SOX17showed a negative correlation with the change of β-catenin. This indicates SOX17and β-catenin have a close relation and together participate in the development of endometrial carcinoma.