The transcription factor Sox11 is a prognostic factor for improved recurrence-free survival in epithelial ovarian cancer

Donal J. Brennan, Sara Ek, Emma Doyle, Thomas Drew, Michael Foley, Grainne Flannelly, Darran P. O'Connor, William M. Gallagher, Sami Kilpinen, Olli-Pekka Kallioniemi, Karin Jirstrom, Colm O'Herlihy, Carl A. K. Borrebaeck (Corresponding Author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background

Current prognostic molecular markers for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are insufficient. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of Sox11 in EOC.

Methods

Using an in silico transcriptomic screen, Sox11 was identified as a potential EOC biomarker. Sox11 protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 76 EOC cases, which were analysed using automated algorithms to develop a quantitative scoring model.

Results

Sox11 mRNA expression was upregulated in EOC compared to normal tissues. Automated analysis of Sox11 in the EOC cohort revealed high expression of Sox11, in 40% of tumours, who had an improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis confirmed that Sox11 was an independent predictor of improved RFS after controlling for stage and grade.

Conclusions

These data suggest that Sox11 is a new prognostic marker in EOC. Loss of Sox11 is associated with a decreased RFS and a more aggressive phenotype.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1510-1517
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume45
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Sox11
  • Epithelial ovarian cancer
  • Prognosis
  • Automated analysis

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