J Korean Cancer Assoc.  2000 Dec;32(6):1031-1042.

Alterations of HLA Class I and II Antigen Expressions in Borderline, Invasive and Metastatic Ovarian Cancers

• Kim YK
• Lew YO
• Jee SB
• Kim GM
• Choi MY
• Kang MJ
• Lee YS
• Kim JW

Abstract

PURPOSE: The relationship between altered HLA expressions and ovarian carcinogenesis is not fully elucidated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Histological evaluation comprised 20 serous adenocarcinoma, 5 borderline serous malignancy, 10 mucinous adenocarcinoma, 15 borderline mucinous malignancy. We used monoclonal antibodys to HLA class I beta2-microglobulin, class I B/C and class II heavy chain.
RESULTS
There was no statistical difference in HLA expressions between borderline serous malignancy and normal ovarian tissue. In serous adenocarcinoma, beta2-microglobulin, B/C and class II heavy chain expressions were down-regulated. In metastatic cancer, B/C and class II ex pressions were also down-regulated. But the HLA expression of tumor or normal stromal tissue in primary tumor, were not down-regulated compared with the tissues in metastasis. In borderline mucinous malignancy, class II expressions were down-regulated. In mucinous adenocarcinoma, beta2-microglobulin, B/C and class II expressions were down-regulated. In metastatic ovarian cancer, B/C and class II expressions were down-regulated. But, in borderline malignancy, the result failed to reach statistical significance except class II of borderline mucinous malignancy.
CONCLUSION
Loss of HLA class I and II molecules in invasive ovarian cancers raises the possibility that this could be a mechanism for tumor cells to have invasiveness.

Keyword

Ovary neoplasm; HLA class I; HLA class II

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous
Carcinogenesis
Mucins
Neoplasm Metastasis
Ovarian Neoplasms*
Mucins