Correlation of the protein expression of P16,P53,PTEN and hMLH1 with malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis

Objective:To investigate the expression pattern of P16,P53,PTEN and hMLH1 and roles they played in the malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis. Methods:The protein expression of P16,P53,PTEN and hMLH1 in 32 cases of carcinoma arising in ovarian endometriosis (carcinoma group),and 17 cases of atypical hyperplasia of ovarian ectopic endometrial glands (atypical hyperplasia group) as well as 30 cases of ovarian endometriosis (endometriosis group) were all examined by immunohistochemistry. The positive rates of these groups were compared. Results:The positive rate of P53 expression presented an increased trend from endometriosis group,atypical hyperplasia group to carcinoma group,while P16,PTEN and hMLH1 showed a decreased trend. In carcinoma group,expressions of PTEN and hMLH1 were positively correlated with that of P16(r=0.375,P0.05;r=0.527,P0.01),and expressions of PTEN and hMLH1 were also positively correlated with each other(r=0.425,P0.05). The expressions of P16,PTEN and hMLH1 all showed negative corelations with that of P53(r=-0.412,P0.05;r=-0.572,P0.01;r=-0.510,P0.01). Conclusion:Protein expressions of P16,PTEN and hMLH1 were aberrant in ovrian carcinoma and they may play certain roles in malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis.