Overexpression of c-Abl predicts unfavorable outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract Objectives Abelson tyrosine kinase (c-Abl) has been shown to promote solid tumor invasion and metastasis. However, little is known regarding whether c-Abl contributes to the development or progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The aims of this study are to determine the expression of c-Abl and investigate a possible relationship between c-Abl and prognosis in EOC. Methods c-Abl protein level was evaluated in 137 EOC specimens by immunohistochemical staining and 32 EOC specimens by Western blot analysis. Expression of c-Abl in ovarian cancer cell lines was measured by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Survival analysis was performed to assess the correlation between c-Abl expression and survival. Results Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis revealed that c-Abl was overexpressed in EOC compared with samples from a non-invasive ovarian tumor and normal ovaries ( P P P Conclusions Our present study finds that c-Abl overexpression is associated with an unfavorable outcome. c-Abl may be a crucial predictor for EOC metastasis.