国内近期有关文献题录

基础理论0 5 2 45　王　刚　王世阆等 :细胞周期 P16 - cyclin D1- p Db调节通路与人卵巢浆液性囊腺癌的相关性研究。实用妇产科杂志 18(2 ) :10 1,2 0 0 20 5 2 46　张新玲　李小毛等 :宫颈阴道分泌物中的胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白 - 1在早产预测中的价值。实用妇产科杂志 18(     

RAD51D蛋白在卵巢癌组织中的表达及其与铂类药物化疗耐药的关系

目的:研究卵巢浆液性囊腺癌组织中DNA双链修复蛋白(RAD51D蛋白)表达对铂类药物化疗耐药的影响。方法:收集38例卵巢浆液性囊腺癌、10例卵巢浆液性囊腺瘤和10例正常卵巢组织,免疫组化链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶连接法检测组织中RAD51D蛋白表达。结果:卵巢浆液性囊腺癌组织中RAD51D阳性表达率显著高于浆液性囊腺瘤组织和正常卵巢组织(P0.05),后两组比较则无显著差异(P0.05)。卵巢浆液性囊腺癌中,RAD51D表达与FIGO临床分期及病理组织分级相关(P0.05),与年龄、腹水情况、淋巴结转移等无关(P均0.05);RAD51D表达与铂类化疗药物耐药性相关,化疗耐药组的RAD51D表达率显著高于化疗敏感组(P0.05)。结论:RAD51D表达可能参与卵巢癌的发生、发展,并可能在卵巢癌铂类药物化疗耐药中起着重要作用,有望成为预测卵巢癌化疗耐药的分子标记物。     

卵巢浆液性囊腺癌中MTS_1/p16基因突变及其蛋白表达的研究

目的：探讨抑癌基困MTS1／p16在人卵巢浆液性囊腺癌发生发展中的作用。方法：应用免疫组化检测10例正常卵巢组织,20例浆液性囊腺瘤,20例交界性策液性囊腺瘤,65例浆液性囊腺癌及有癌转移的阳性盆腔淋巴结中p16基因蛋白表达,用PCR－SSCP分析10例浆液性囊腺癌中有无p16基因第1、2外显子的突变。结果：正常卵巢、浆液性囊腺瘤、交界性浆液性囊腺瘤、浆液性囊腺癌及有癌转移的盆腔淋巴结中,p16基因蛋白表达阳性率分别为60％、55％、55％、12．3％、0％;10例浆液性囊腺癌均未发现p16基因第1、2外显子的突变。结论：p16基因功能失活可能与卵巢癌发生、发展相关,p16基因表达的检测可能成为判断浆液性卵巢肿瘤恶性度及预后的指标;浆液性卵巢癌p16基因突变率较低,可进一步扩大检测范围并作进一步研究。     

TFAR19蛋白在卵巢上皮性癌中的表达

目的探讨TFAR19蛋白在卵巢上皮性癌组织中的表达情况及关系。方法应用免疫组化方法检测TFAR19蛋白在79例卵巢上皮性癌组织(其中浆液性腺癌33例,粘液性腺癌13例,子宫内膜样腺癌11例,其他类型卵巢上皮性癌22例),33例卵巢良性肿瘤组织(其中浆液性腺瘤18例,粘液性腺瘤13例,其他良性肿瘤2例)及11例正常卵巢组织中的表达。结果39.24％的卵巢上皮性癌、81.82％的正常卵巢上皮、75.76％的卵巢良性肿瘤组织中TFAR19蛋白呈强阳性表达,卵巢上皮性癌与卵巢良性肿瘤组织及正常卵巢上皮相比差异有显著性(P<0.05)。不同FIGO分期(1986年)卵巢上皮性癌中强阳性表达比例分别为FIGO I期:80％,FICOⅡ期45.45％,FIGOⅢ期31.25％,FIGOⅣ期30％;不同组织学分级卵巢上皮性癌中TFAR19的强阳性表达分别为G1期62.5％,G2期50％,G3期29.79％;卵巢粘液性癌组织中TFAR19蛋白的强阳性表达明显高于浆液性腺癌与子宫内膜样癌。结论TFAR19蛋白的表达与卵巢上皮性癌的FIGO分期、组织学分级、病理类型相关。随FIGO分期与组织学分级升高,TFAR19蛋自的表达下调。TFAR19蛋白可能是卵巢上皮性癌细胞细胞凋亡的重要调控因子。     

卵巢上皮性肿瘤的临床病理特征及其细胞周期素D1和p53蛋白表达的研究

目的研究卵巢上皮性癌（卵巢癌）和交界性上皮性肿瘤的临床病理特征及其细胞周期素D1（cyclin D1）和p53蛋白表达的情况,探讨卵巢癌和交界性上皮性肿瘤在发病机制上的联系。方法分析45例卵巢癌（卵巢癌组）和54例卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤（交界性肿瘤组）的临床病理资料,采用免疫组化法检测两组组织中cyclin D1、p53蛋白的表达情况,并分析其与临床病理特征的相关性。结果（1）临床病理特征：①年龄：交界性肿瘤组平均年龄为42．5岁（14～82岁）,中位数年龄41岁;卵巢癌组平均年龄为53．5岁（26～80岁）,中位数年龄51岁。②分期：按国际妇产科联盟（FIGO）分期标准,交界性肿瘤组Ⅰ期48例、Ⅱ期3例、Ⅲ期3例;卵巢癌组Ⅰ期6例、Ⅱ期8例、Ⅲ期26例、Ⅳ期5例。③病理类型：交界性肿瘤组以黏液型为主[占56％（30／54）],其次为浆液型[其中普通型11例,微乳头型5例;占30％（16／54）];卵巢癌组以浆液型（其中低度恶性19例,高度恶性3例）为主[占49％（22／45）]。④病理分化程度：卵巢癌组高分化5例,中分化17例,低分化或未分化23例。⑤预后：交界性肿瘤组5年生存率为98％,卵巢癌组为51％,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0．000）。（2）cyclin D1和p53蛋白的表达及其与卵巢癌和交界性肿瘤临床病理特征的相关性：卵巢癌组cyclin D1和p53蛋白的阳性表达率分别为31％（14／45）和56％（25／45）,p53蛋白表达强度与病理分化程度呈正相关（r=0．320,P=0．032）;交界性肿瘤组cyclin D1和p53蛋白的阳性表达率分别为69％（37／54）和6％（3／54）。其中,普通型浆液性交界性肿瘤与高度恶性浆液性癌比较（两者cyclin D1蛋白阳性表达率分别为91％和26％,p53蛋白分别为0和58％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈O．01）;而微乳头型浆液性交界性肿瘤与低度恶性浆液癌比较（两者cyclin D1蛋白阳性表达率分别为3／5和2／3,p53蛋白分别为1／5和1／3）,差异则无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论cyclin D1蛋白的过度表达常见于卵巢浆液性交界性肿瘤及低度恶性浆液性癌组织中,而p53蛋白的过度表达更多见于高度恶性浆液性癌组织中。卵巢浆液性交界性肿瘤与高度恶性浆液性癌具有不同的发病机制,而微乳头型浆液性交界性肿瘤与低度恶性浆液性癌的关系可能更为密切。     

层粘连蛋白、基质金属蛋白酶-9在卵巢粘液性肿瘤中的表达及其意义

目的 :探讨层粘连蛋白 (LN)、基质金属蛋白酶 9(MMP 9)在卵巢粘液性肿瘤中的表达以及与临床病理因素和预后的关系。方法 :应用免疫组织化学方法检测 43例卵巢粘液性肿瘤LN、MMP 9的表达情况。结果 :LN、MMP 9的表达 ,在卵巢粘液性肿瘤从良性、交界性到恶性发展中 ,LN的表达级别和MMP 9的表达阳性率逐渐增高 ;LN的表达程度与卵巢粘液性囊腺癌的组织学分级有关 (P =0 0 0 0 ) ;MMP 9的表达与卵巢粘液性囊腺癌的组织学分级 (P =0 0 48)、FIGO分期 (P =0 0 47)、术后复发和死亡 (P =0 0 30 )有关。在卵巢粘液性囊腺癌中 ,LN的表达程度在MMP 9阳性组与MMP 9阴性组之间差异有显著性 (P =0 0 0 8) ,并呈正相关。结论 :LN、MMP 9在卵巢粘液性肿瘤的浸润转移中起重要作用 ,是卵巢粘液性肿瘤的恶性指标之一 ,可望作为交界性粘液性囊腺瘤及粘液性囊腺癌的诊断和分级的客观指标 ;MMP 9可协助临床估计预后。     

人卵巢浆液性囊腺癌中p16~(INK4a)基因失活机制探讨

目的 :探讨人卵巢浆液性囊腺癌中p16INK4a基因表缺失的机制 ,为p16INK4a相关性基因治疗提供理论依据。方法 :采用PCR、PCR SSCP、甲基化特异性PCR和DNA测序等方法重点检测p16INK4a蛋白表达缺失的卵巢浆液性肿瘤组织中p16INK4a基因缺失、突变和5’ CpG岛甲基化 ,分析它们与肿瘤预后的关系。结果 :4 3份p16INK4a蛋白表达阴性标本中检测到p16INK4a基因纯合缺失 4例 ,第 1、2外显子各 2例 ;第 2外显子点突变 2例 ,经DNA测序确定 1例为第 2外显子 4 94位G→T变异 ,位于非编码区 ;1例为第 2外显子 34 3位G→T变异 ,相应的氨基酸变异为第 115位缬氨酸 (GTG)→亮氨酸 (TTG) ;应用MSP法检测出 14例 (32 .6% ) 5’ CpG岛甲基化并经DNA测序证实。p16INK4a蛋白表达阳性的 14份标本中仅检测到 1例 (7.14% ) 5’ CpG岛甲基化 ,而未发现基因缺失和点突变证据。 34例卵巢浆液性囊腺癌患者中p16INK4a基因异常 16例 ,较无异常 18例预后更差 (P =0 .0 0 0 8)。结论 :5’ CpG岛甲基化可能是卵巢浆液性囊腺癌中p16INK4a基因表达缺失的主要原因 ,去甲基化治疗可能成为该类肿瘤一种有用的生物治疗方法     

上皮性卵巢肿瘤cyclin B1和p27的表达及其意义

目的:探讨cyclin B1和p27在上皮性卵巢肿瘤发生、发展及预后中的作用。方法:应用免疫组化S-P法检测正常卵巢(20例)、良性上皮性卵巢肿瘤(20)及恶性上皮性卵巢肿瘤(20例)中cyclin B1和p27的表达,分析其表达水平与肿瘤恶性程度、临床分期及淋巴转移间的关系。结果:cyclin B1在恶性上皮性卵巢肿瘤中的表达水平高于正常卵巢和良性肿瘤,差异有显著性(P<0.05);p27在正常卵巢、良性肿瘤和恶性肿瘤中的阳性表达呈显著性递减趋势(P<0.05);cyclin B1表达与肿瘤的临床分期及淋巴转移显著相关(P<0.05)。结论:cyclin B1高表达和p27低表达,可能与卵巢肿瘤的发生、发展密切相关。     

cyclin D1蛋白表达与卵巢浆液性肿瘤预后的关系

目的 :探讨cyclinD1蛋白表达与卵巢浆液性肿瘤患者预后的关系。方法 :采用免疫组化SP法检测 91例卵巢浆液性肿瘤和 2 4例有癌转移的淋巴结中cyclinD1蛋白表达 ,并以 10例正常卵巢组织作对照。结果 :正常卵巢组织、良性浆液性卵巢肿瘤、交界性瘤、浆液性卵巢腺癌和转移性卵巢腺癌癌细胞的cyclinD1蛋白表达阳性率分别为 0、10 .0 %、53.3 %、83.9%和 83.3%。交界性瘤、浆液性卵巢腺癌和有癌转移的淋巴结组织中cyclinD1蛋白表达阳性率显著高于正常卵巢组织和良性浆液性卵巢肿瘤。cyclinD1蛋白表达阳性的浆液性卵巢腺癌患者预后较好 ,但并非卵巢浆液性囊腺癌患者独立的预后因素。结论 :cyclinD1癌基因在卵巢浆液性恶性肿瘤的发生过程中起重要作用。cyclinD1蛋白过表达可能是浆液性卵巢癌患者预后良好的指标 ,但并非影响预后的独立因素     

上皮性卵巢癌中Survivin的表达及意义

目的　探讨凋亡抑制基因Survivin在上皮性卵巢癌组织中的表达及意义。方法　应用半定量RT-PCR及免疫组化的方法 ,分别检测SurvivinmRNA及蛋白在 5 2例上皮性卵巢癌、 2 5例良性上皮性卵巢肿瘤和 2 0例正常卵巢组织中的表达。结果　SurvivinmRNA及蛋白在 5 2例卵巢癌组织中的阳性表达率分别为 84 6 % (4 4 5 2 )、 6 5 4 % (34 5 2 ) ;在 2 5例良性肿瘤中的阳性表达率分别为 2 4 0 % (6 2 5 )、 0 (0 2 5 ) :在 2 0例正常卵巢组织中的阳性表达率分别为 15 0 % (3 2 0 )、 0 % (0 2 0 )。三者比较均差异有极显著性 (P <0 0 0 1) ;5 2例上皮性卵巢癌中 ,浆液性囊腺癌 30例 ,粘液性囊腺癌 16例 ,其他类型癌 6例 ,各种类型上皮性卵巢癌中SurvivinmRNA及蛋白阳性表达率比较 ,差异均无显著性意义 (P >0 0 5 ) ;上皮性卵巢癌中 ,临床分期Ⅰ～Ⅱ期 16例 ,Ⅲ～Ⅳ期 36例。组织学分级G1 ～G2 19例 ,G333例。SurvivinmRNA及蛋白在卵巢癌组织中的表达随着卵巢癌临床分期及组织学分级的升高而显著增加 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　Survivin基因在卵巢癌的发生发展中起一定作用。     

Overexpression of cyclin D1 and c-Myc gene products in human primary epithelial ovarian cancer

Cyclin D1 and c-Myc are key participants in the cell-cycle pathway, in which aberrancies have been associated with malignant transformation. To date, data on the relationship of expression of these proteins and histologic subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer are still scarce and discordant. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 12 normal ovaries and 47 cases of serous, mucinous, endometrioid, and clear cell ovarian carcinomas. No abnormal expression of cyclin D1 or c-Myc was demonstrated in any of the 12 normal ovarian specimens. However, compared to normal ovarian tissues, overexpression of cyclin D1 and c-Myc was observed in 42.6% (20/47) and 65.9% (31/47) of tumors examined, respectively. There was no significant difference of overexpression of cyclin D1 or c-Myc gene products between these four histologic subtypes of ovarian adenocarcinomas. This study shows that cyclin D1 and c-Myc are frequently overexpressed in epithelial ovarian carcinomas, but they are not correlated with a particular histologic subtype. Although our preliminary results need to be validated in a larger number of tumors, the abnormal expression of cyclin D1 and c-Myc in epithelial ovarian cancer reaffirms the notion that they are crucial components in the pathway of tumorigenesis and deserve further study.     

Abnormalities of the RB1 pathway in ovarian serous papillary carcinoma as determined by overexpression of the p16(INK4A) protein.

Dysfunction of proteins involved in the G1 to S transition of the cell cycle, such as p16(INK4A) and RB1, is common in many cancer types. A screen of p16 protein expression was performed in benign, borderline, and invasive ovarian tumors, together with endometrial cancers, aligned on a tissue microarray. We observed frequent p16 overexpression in serous papillary carcinomas of ovarian and endometrial origin. An extended cohort of ovarian serous papillary carcinomas was examined to further evaluate the frequency of p16 overexpression. Strong, uniform staining in the majority of cancer cells occurred commonly in invasive serous papillary ovarian cancers, particularly in grade 3 carcinomas. RB1 protein expression abnormalities were rare. Our data indicate that abnormalities in the retinoblastoma pathway, as determined by p16 overexpression, are common in serous papillary carcinomas and are probably an early event.     

L1 (CAM) (CD171) in ovarian serous neoplasms

PURPOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION: The evaluation of L1 (CAM) as a tumor progression marker and as a prognostic factor in serous ovarian tumors. METHODS: L1 (CAM) protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in serous ovarian tumors [cystadenomas (n = 20), borderline tumors (n = 14) and carcinomas (n = 47)], and was correlated with stage,grade, progression-free survival time (PFS) and overall survival. RESULTS: L1 (CAM) immunoreactivity correlated significantly with stage and grade. It increased from benign tumors to early carcinomas and to advanced stage carcinomas progressively and significantly. In Stage III G3 carcinoma patients, low L1 (CAM) expressing tumors exhibited better response to chemotherapy and were associated with statistically significantly longer PFS (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: L1 (CAM) expression represents a novel diagnostic marker in serous ovarian neoplasms that shows characteristics of tumor progression. L1 expression was associated with chemotherapy response.     

Relationship between p53-associated proteins and estrogen receptor status in ovarian serous neoplasms

We studied the immunoexpression of p14ARF, MDM2, and p53, in addition to relationships between those protein expressions and estrogen receptor (ER)alpha in ovarian serous tumors including benign (n= 23), borderline (n= 41), and malignant (n= 94). The aberrant expressions of p14ARF, MDM2, and p53 were observed in 19.6% (31/158), 47.5% (75/158), and 39.9% (63/158) of cases, respectively. The expression of MDM2 was significantly higher in borderline tumors compared to benign (P= 0.04) and malignant (P < 0.01) tumors. p53 expression in borderline tumors was uncommon, and p14ARF expression loss was mainly observed in carcinomas. Altered expression of p14ARF, MDM2, and p53 shows significant relationship with stage. Overexpression of MDM2 (P= 0.01) and loss of p14ARF expression (P= 0.04) were significantly associated with ER expression. Our results suggest that alteration of p14ARF-MDM2-p53 pathway proteins may contribute significantly to the tumorigenesis of ovarian serous neoplasms, and ER is involved in cellular regulation of p14ARF-MDM2-p53 pathway in ovarian serous neoplasms.     

卵巢上皮性肿瘤中细胞周期素D1蛋白与p16蛋白的表达及其临床意义

目的　探讨细胞周期素D1蛋白 (cyclinD1)与 p16蛋白在卵巢上皮性肿瘤中的表达及临床意义。 方法　 1998年 1月至 2 0 0 0年 1月采用免疫组化SP法 ,检测恶性、交界性、良性卵巢上皮性肿瘤、正常卵巢组织中的cyclinD1蛋白和p16蛋白的表达。结果　cyclinD1蛋白、p16蛋白表达的阳性率分别为恶性 5 0 %和 4 0 %、交界性30 %和 5 0 %、良性卵巢上皮性肿瘤 0和 80 %、正常卵巢组织中 0和 90 %。恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤与良性卵巢上皮性肿瘤及正常卵巢组织之间比较 ,cyclinD1蛋白的表达差异有显著性意义 (P <0 0 1) ,p16蛋白的表达差异有显著性意义 (P <0 0 5 )。在恶性程度较高 ,组织分化差 ,晚期的恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤中cyclinD1蛋白表达率高 ,p16蛋白的表达率低。相关性分析显示 ,cyclinD1蛋白与 p16蛋白的表达呈负相关。 结论　cyclinD1蛋白的过度表达与 p16蛋白表达的缺失在恶性卵巢上皮性肿瘤的发生、发展中起一定作用 ,二者可能存在相互抑制机制。     

The concurrent expression of p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 in epithelial ovarian tumors.

Mammalian cell-cycle progression is regulated by the combined action of cyclins/cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) and cdk inhibitors. Abnormal expression as well as interaction of these proteins may result in malignant transformation of cells. To further address alterations and roles of these cell-cycle proteins in the development of epithelial ovarian carcinomas, we analyzed the expression of the p27(kip1), cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cdk2. A panel of 79 epithelial ovarian tumors was selected. Immunohistochemical staining of serial paraffin sections was performed using antibodies to p27(kip1), cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cdk2. The results showed that p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 were concurrently expressed in epithelial ovarian tumors, and the expression was down-regulated in ovarian carcinomas. There was an inverse relationship between the expression level of p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 and the histological tumor grades. On the other hand, the expression of cyclin E and cdk2 was enhanced in ovarian carcinomas. The results suggest that low expression of p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 as well as high expression of cyclin E and cdk2 promotes the development of ovarian tumors. p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 expression are negatively correlated with the malignant degree of epithelial ovarian tumors. Thus, the ovarian tumors with high p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 expression may generally have a somewhat better prognosis, while those with low p27(kip1) and cyclin D1 expression may have a worse prognosis.     

Expression of the cell-cycle regulatory proteins (cyclins D1 and E) in endometrial carcinomas: correlations with hormone receptor status, proliferating indices, tumor suppressor gene products (p53, pRb), and clinicopathological parameters

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of cyclins D1 and E in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium, and their correlation with proliferative activity and clinicopathological features. METHODS: We carried out immunohistochemical techniques on archived material of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues using the antibodies against the cyclins D1 and E, PR-ER, p53, Ki67 (MIB1) and pRb with the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method in a total of 20 cases of normal endometrium, 32 cases of hyperplastic endometrium and 66 cases of endometrial carcinomas. RESULTS: Cyclin D1 and E immunoreactivity was observed in the nuclei of tumour cells in 18.2% and 39.1%, respectively, of the cases of endometrial carcinomas. Cyclin D1 labelling index was not significantly correlated with any of the clinicopathologic parameters examined. However, there was a significant correlation between the cyclin E labelling index and histological grade of carcinoma (p = 0.00096), which increased significantly with histological grades of malignancy. We also detected a significant correlation between cyclin E and PCNA (p < 0.0001) as well as with the tumor suppressor genes p53 and pRb (p = 0.052 and 0.0002, respectively) in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that cyclin E overexpression may be involved in the development and/or proliferation and differentiation of human endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. Immunoexpression of cyclin D1 does not appear to be associated with cell-cycle progression in the benign or malignant endometrium.     

Cyclin D1 and retinoblastoma protein in vulvar cancer and adjacent lesions

Abstract. Rolfe KJ, Crow JC, Benjamin E, Reid WMN, Maclean AB, Perrett CW. Cyclin D1 and retinoblastoma protein in vulvar cancer and adjacent lesions.
Abnormalities in the cell cycle are associated with tumorigenesis but have not yet been identified in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vulva or in adjacent vulvar lesions. The purpose of this study was to identify cell cycle protein expression (cyclin D1 and retinoblastoma protein [pRb]) in vulvar SCC and in adjacent potentially premalignant lesions: lichen sclerosis (LS), squamous cell hyperplasia (SH), and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Using immunohistochemical techniques, 57 SCCs were analyzed with 19 adjacent areas showing LS, 13 showing SH, 11 VIN, and six normal epithelium. Fifty-one percent of SCCs showed abnormal cyclin D1 expression and 37% showed abnormal pRb. Abnormal cyclin D1 expression in the adjacent areas was as follows: 53% in LS, 31% in SH, 18% in VIN, and 0% in normal. Abnormal pRb expression was as follows: 42% in LS, 62% in SH, 46% in VIN, and 33% in normal. Only 10 lesions showed abnormal expression of both proteins. Abnormal expression of cyclin D1 in SCC was statistically significant compared with adjacent normal epithelium. In SCC lesions, abnormal cyclin D1 expression was associated with greater depth of invasion. Abnormal pRb in SCC was associated with poor tumor grade. Cyclin D1 and pRb are separately involved in the progression of vulvar cancer, and changes in the expression of these proteins may represent an early stage of malignant transformation in vulvar disease.     

Microsatellite analysis in serous tumors of the ovary.

Thirty-four serous ovarian neoplasms were analyzed for microsatellite instability (MIN) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 20 chromosomal loci of eight different chromosomes, including the map positions of the six known mismatch repair genes. Twelve of the 20 (60%) serous ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) and 13 of 15 (87%) samples of serous ovarian carcinomas, taken from 14 patients, showed LOH at one or more of the analyzed microsatellite loci. In serous carcinomas, LOH of the dinucleotide repeat D7S521 was most frequent. Six of 20 (30%) LMP tumors were also affected by MIN at more than one locus, whereas in the carcinomas MIN was found only sporadically (p < 0.025). No correlation between increased occurrence of MIN and LOH at the chromosomal loci of the known mismatch repair genes were discovered for these LMP tumors. Although our observation regarding LOH frequency in serous LMP tumors and serous carcinomas is compatible with the hypothesis that serous LMP tumors might represent precursor lesions of invasive carcinomas, the results concerning the occurrence of MIN suggest that the mechanisms of tumorigenesis of some tumors of LMP are distinct from those in invasive serous carcinomas.