Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2022; 82(06): e30
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749747
Abstracts | MGFG

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vulvar cancer

L-C Horn
1   Institute of Pathology, Division of Breast Gynecologic & Perinatal Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
,
C Eckey
1   Institute of Pathology, Division of Breast Gynecologic & Perinatal Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
,
GG R Hiller
1   Institute of Pathology, Division of Breast Gynecologic & Perinatal Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
,
M Höckel
2   Division of Gynecologic Surgical Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Institute of Trier, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
,
I Krücken
3   Institute of Pathology, Division of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
,
U Obeck
3   Institute of Pathology, Division of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
,
M Stiller
3   Institute of Pathology, Division of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
,
A K Höhn
1   Institute of Pathology, Division of Breast Gynecologic & Perinatal Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
› Author Affiliations
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    Purpose Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with increased metastatic spread and poor prognosis. Data on vulvar carcinoma are limited.

    Methods Thirty-two squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva (16 with and 16 without inguinal lymph node metastases) and their lymph node deposits were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of EMT-markers (vimentin, cyclin D1, e-cadherin), p16, p53 and Ki-67. Results of EMT-immunostaining was compared to lymph node involvement and expression of p53 and p16. The micro-anatomical staining pattern for EMT markers comparing the tumor center with the front of invasion was analysed in each tumor.

    Results There was no difference in the expression of EMT-markers between node negative and node positive tumors. Staining for vimentin and cyclin D1 was seen within tumor cells at the front of invasion in 100% and 84.4% of the tumors, respectively. The majority of cases (68.7%) showed negative or reduced staining for e-cadherin in this micro-anatomical localization. Tumor cells within the lymph node metastases showed positive staining for e-cadherin in 75% and for cyclin D1 in 49% of the cells but were negative for vimentin in 13 out of 16 cases (81.3%). Tumors with aberrant p53-staining represented a non-significant higher vimentin but significantly higher cyclin D1 expression at the front of invasion than those with p53 wild-type pattern.

    Conclusion The present study shows no differences in the expression of EMT-markers between node positive and negative vulvar cancers. The evaluation of immunostaining within the micro-anatomical context indicates that an EMT-phenotype is restricted to the tumor cells at the front of invasion. Paired analyses of vulvar carcinomas and their lymph node deposits suggest mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Immunohistochemical staining results may suggest that EMT is more prevalent in vulvar cancer with aberrant p53 staining.


     

    Publication History

    Article published online:
    10 June 2022

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