Upregulation of DEK Expression in Uterine Myomas and Cervical Cancer as a Potential Prognostic Factor

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of DEK in uterine myomas and cervical cancer as a potential prognostic factor. Design: Laboratory based study. Subjects: Chinese women from the department of gynecology at No 1 Suzhou University Affiliated Hospital in Suzhou, China, experiencing menstrual and intermenstrual bleeding and intermenstrual pelvic pain. Ten patients underwent surgery for uterine myomas and four surgery for cervical cancer. Main Outcome Measures: Quantification of DEK protein expression in normal uterine tissue, uterine myoma tissue, and cervical cancer tissue using Western blot and immunohistochemistry; Analysis of DEK mRNA levels in the identical tissue types using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Patient symptom ratings using visual analog scores. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significant upregulation of DEK protein in cervical carcinomas, moderate expression in uterine myomas, and negligible expression in normal uterine tissues. Western blot analysis supported these findings, showing high DEK protein levels in cervical carcinomas, intermediate levels in uterine myomas, and low levels in normal uterine tissues. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated elevated DEK mRNA expression in uterine myomas compared to both normal uterine tissues and cervical carcinomas, suggesting transcriptional upregulation in uterine myomas. Statistical analysis with one-way ANOVA test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and following post-hoc tests confirmed significant differences in DEK expression among the groups. Conclusion: Significant upregulation of DEK in cervical cancer tissues and uterine myomas, and negligible levels in normal uterine tissues suggest DEK's involvement in tumor development and suppression. Further research is needed to elucidate DEK's mechanisms in gynecological tumorigenesis and its potential as an early biomarker, addressing critical need in women's health.