Immunohistochemically examination of epithelial mesenchymal transition with E-cadherin and vimentin expression in epithelial tumors of the ovary and evaluation of its relationship with histopathological prognostic factors

Objective: In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the expression levels of E-cadherin and vimentin, which are involved in the epithelial mesenchymal transition process in epithelial ovarian tumors, and their prognostic parameters such as the diagnosis category, histological subtype, tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, capsule invasion, and metastasis. Matherial and Method: In this study, we evaluated the relationship of E-cadherin and vimentin expressions with prognostic parameters in epithelial ovarian tumors diagnosed between 2014-2020 by immunohistochemical method. For our study, tumor blocks of resection materials of 143 cases who were operated for epithelial ovarian tumor in our hospital between 01.01.2014-20.12.2020 were used. Immunohistochemical staining with E-cadherin and vimentin antibodies was applied to the sections of these blocks. Staining results were evaluated under a light microscope. The data obtained in the statistical evaluation were calculated using the SPSS v26 program. Results: E-cadherin median score was found to be highest in benign cases and lowest in malignant cases. A statistically significant correlation was found between e-cadherin expression and the diagnostic category of the tumor. E-cadherin median score was found to be equal in different histological subtypes in benign and malignant cases. In borderline cases E-cadherin median score was found to be lower in serous borderline tumor than in mucinous borderline tumor. However, this difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant correlation between the median E-cadherin score and the histological subtype of the tumor. There was no statistically significant correlation between the median E-cadherin score and the parameters of stage, lymphovascular invasion, capsule invasion and presence of metastasis in malignant cases. Vimentin median score was highest in malignant cases and lowest in benign cases. There was a statistically significant correlation between vimentin expression and the diagnostic category of the tumor. Vimentin median score was found to be equal in different histological subtypes in benign and borderline cases. In malignant cases; E-cadherin median score was found to be higher in serous carcinoma cases and clear cell carcinoma vii cases compared to mucinous and endometrioid carcinoma cases. However, this difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant correlation between the vimentin median score and the histological subtype of the tumor. There was no statistically significant correlation between vimentin median score and parameters of stage, lymphovascular invasion, capsule invasion and presence of metastasis in malignant cases. Conclusion: In our study, a significant correlation was found between the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, which are used as EMT markers in epithelial ovarian tumors, and the diagnostic category of tumors. E-cadherin expression decreased and vimentin expression increased in borderline and malignant tumors compared to benign tumors. This relationship can be used as a new prognostic factor in ovarian tumors in the future and can be used as an alternative new avenue for targeted therapies in ovarian tumors. In our study, we did not find any correlation between E-cadherin and vimentin expression in epithelial ovarian tumors and prognostic parameters such as histological subtype, stage, lymphovascular invasion, capsule invasion and metastasis. There are very few studies in which E-cadherin and vimentin, which are used as EMT markers in epithelial ovarian tumors, are evaluated together and compared with histopathological prognostic parameters. The results of our study will expand the data in the literature and shed light on research on this subject. Keywords: Ovarian Tumours, E-cadherin, Vimetin, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.