Expression of erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor genes in the development of endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is a common neoplasia of female genital track. Genetic and epigenetic alterations may constitute risk factors for development of endometrial cancer. Erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) activated by binding to erythropoietin (EPO) is a member of the cytokine receptor super family. Recent studies suggest that EPO/EPOR signaling pathway may play a role in cancer development. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible roles of expression levels of EPO and EPOR genes in development of endometrial cancer. 51 endometrial cancer patients and 11 healthy controls took part in the study. Total RNA and protein were isolated from the endometrial samples obtained from tumor and normal endometrium tissues as well as healthy controls. Quantitative mRNA expression levels of the EPO and EPOR genes were identified by real-time PCR. When the results pertaining to tumor and normal tissue samples were compared, while a statistically significant decrease was observed in the mRNA expression level of the EPO gene in tumor tissues, an increase was observed in the mRNA expression level of the EPOR gene. When the results pertaining to the endometrium samples obtained from tumor and controls were compared, it was understood that while mRNA expression level of the EPO gene in the tumor tissue indicated a decrease as opposed to that of controls, mRNA expression level of the EPOR gene remained unchanged. The changes in the mRNA expression levels in both genes were verified through protein analysis by Western blot. Further studies are required to identify the role of EPO/EPOR signaling pathway in the development of endometrial cancer.