Expression And Significance Of AXIN And β-Catenin In The Malignant Transformation Of Ovarian Endometriosis

Objective: By detecting the expression of axis inhibitor(AXIN)and beta-catenin(β-catenin)in the Wnt signaling pathway during the malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis(OE),the author hopes to explore the expression and clinical significance of AXIN and β-catenin in OE carcinogenesis.Methods: Three groups were established in this experiment,which were OE group(30samples),atypical endometriosis(a EM)group(17 samples),and endometriosis associated ovarian cancer(EAOC)group(30 samples).The expressions of AXIN andβ-catenin were measured by using the Envision two-step method and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The samples all come from patients diagnosed and treated by the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Weihai Maternal and Child Health Hospital(April 1,2014-April 1,2017).Results: According to the results of the Envision two-step method,the percentages of AXIN in OE,a EM and EAOC groups were 76.7%(23/30),41.2%(7/17),and 30.0%(9/30),respectively,and the positive expression rates of β-catenin were 13.3%(4/30),29.4%(5/17),and 63.3%(19/30),respectively(P<0.05).In accordance with the results of ELISA,the expression level of AXIN in OE group(18.6461±0.6226),a EM group(12.2777±0.6267)and EAOC group(8.8870±0.5761)decreased gradually(F=1986.939,P<0.001),while the expression level of β-catenin in OE group(168.3788±14.6833),a EM group(315.4545±15.7205)and EAOC group(673.4091±18.3471)rose progressively(F=7361.889,P<0.001).Moreover,in EAOC group,the experimental results showed that there was a negative correlation between the expressions of AXIN protein and β-catenin in lesion tissues(r=-0.86,P<0.01).The low AXIN and high β-catenin had no significant correlation with patients’ age,tumor side and histological type(P>0.05),whereas had a clear correlation with patients’ clinical stage and histological grade(P<0.05).Conclusion: In OE,aEM and EAOC groups,the positive expression rate of β-catenin increased significantly,while the positive expression rate of AXIN decreased dramatically,suggesting that Wnt signaling pathway may participate in the process of OE carcinogenesis.In addition,a EM might be an important intermediate link connecting the OE malignant transformation,and AXIN and β-catenin might also play a significant biological role.