The importance of PFK-P (Phosphofructokinase-platelet) and PEA-15 (Phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes-15kDa) expression in cases of endometrioid endometrial carcinoma and endometrial atypical hyperplasia/endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Endometrial atypical hyperplasia/endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia (EAH/EIN) is a precancerous lesion of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC) and shares common genetic alterations. PFK-P is an enzyme involved in glycolysis and is involved in the rate-limiting step. PEA-15 is a member of the death effector domain family with effects on cell growth and metabolism. Increased expression of PFK-P and PEA-15 in cancers has been reported to be associated with survival. In our study, we aimed to determine whether PFK-P and PEA-15 expression is different in normal endometrium, EAH/EIN and EEC groups immunohistochemically. In addition, we aimed to determine the relationship between the expression level and prognostic factors in carcinoma cases. Patients diagnosed with EEC between 2010 and 2015 were included in the study. Hysterectomy materials of 32 patients diagnosed as EAH/EIN in curettage material, EEC in resection and 19 patients operated for non-neoplastic reasons were included as control group. PFK-P expression was higher in the EEC group compared to EAH/EIN and normal endometrium. High expression of PFK-P in carcinomas suggests a role in carcinogenesis. The percentage of tumoral cells staining for PEA-15 was lower in EAH/EIN compared to carcinoma. PFK-P and PEA-15 expression levels were not associated with clinicopathologic features and survival in EEC cases. Additional studies are needed to reveal the role of PFK-P and PEA-15 expression in the carcinogenesis process and to determine their prognostic significance. Key Words: PFK-P, PEA-15, endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia, prognosis