Sulfatides in ovarian tumors: clinicopathological correlates

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the expression of sulfatides in the tissue homogenates of malignant ovarian tumors, benign ovarian tumors, and control tissues and to study the relation between this marker and other clinico-pathological criteria such as the tumor type, grade of differentiation, surgical stage and ovulatory years.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biochemistry, Assuit university hospital.SubjectsForty-six patients had malignant ovarian tumors. Sixteen patients had benign ovarian neoplasm. Thirty patients, with normal ovaries, represented the control group.MethodsA sample of the tumor or from the normal ovary (the control group) was sent for histopathological and biochemical examination. Sulfatides were measured by a rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method.ResultsThere was a significant rise in benign tumors [median and range 43 (38–53)], than in the control group, 21 (18–31), P-value = 0.000. In malignant tumors, the median value of sulfatides was significantly higher than in benign tumors [127 (71–193), P-value = 0.000]. Sulfatides were significantly higher in patients with more ovulatory years and tumors of advanced stages (stage III/IV) and poor differentiation.ConclusionsSulfatides may play a role in the pathogenesis of benign and malignant ovarian tumors. It may also predict advanced stages in patients who are apparently early stage. It is also a candidate to study of their association with response to chemotherapy.

MALDI Imaging of Lipid Biochemistry in Tissues by Mass Spectrometry

“…For example, the presence of STs, is associated with a poor outcome in renal, 148 lung, 111 and ovarian cancers. 149 Additionally, brain, colon, lung, and prostate tumors show elevated levels of PCs, with the highest levels associated with the most aggressive tumors.…”

Inhibition of UGT8 suppresses basal-like breast cancer progression by attenuating sulfatide–αVβ5 axis

“…High expression of sulfatide is observed in several human cancer tissues, including the colon, kidney, lung, liver, and ovary ( Takahashi and Suzuki, 2012 ; Xiao et al, 2013 ). Significantly elevated expression of sulfatide in ovarian carcinomas and colorectal carcinomas predicts poor prognosis ( Morichika et al, 1996 ; Makhlouf et al, 2004 ), suggesting a critical role for sulfatide in cancer progression. Thus, a better understanding of the biological functions and mechanisms of the sulfatide biosynthetic pathway will improve our ability to define its contribution to tumor progression and treatment options.…”

Sulfatide decreases the resistance to stress-induced apoptosis and increases P-selectin-mediated adhesion: a two-edged sword in breast cancer progression

“…Differential expression of sulfatides was observed in lung carcinoma, with higher levels in adenocarcinomas than in squamous cell carcinoma and undifferentiated small cell carcinoma [ 7 ]. In colorectal and ovarian carcinoma, an increase in sulfatides correlated with poor prognosis [ 8 , 9 ]. However, little is known about the biological role of sulfatides in cancer progression.…”