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Summary: The EHF (Ets homologous factor) gene was previously shown to be overexpressed in ovarian/primary peritoneal serous carcinoma compared to malignant mesothelioma using gene expression arrays. The objective of this study was to validate this finding at the mRNA level in a larger series. We analyzed the diagnostic role of EHF in 98 ovarian serous carcinoma effusions, 23 malignant mesothelioma specimens (20 effusions, 3 surgical specimens), and 28 primary ovarian serous carcinomas using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Expression levels of EHF in ovarian carcinoma were additionally investigated for association with clinicopathologic parameters and survival. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed significantly higher expression of EHF mRNA in ovarian carcinoma effusions and in primary ovarian carcinoma compared to malignant mesothelioma effusions (P < .001 for both). EHF mRNA expression was additionally higher in primary ovarian carcinomas compared to effusions of this cancer (P < .001). In univariate analysis for all patients with effusions, higher EHF mRNA levels were associated with a trend for shorter progression-free survival (P = .066), which became significant in analysis of 45 patients with primary diagnosis pre-chemotherapy effusions (P = .01). In Cox multivariate analysis, EHF mRNA expression was an independent predictor of poor progression-free survival for all patients and patients with primary diagnosis pre-chemotherapy effusions (P = .033 and P = .009, respectively). EHF mRNA levels differentiate ovarian carcinoma from malignant mesothelioma and may thus be of diagnostic value in this setting. EHF may be a novel prognostic marker in ovarian carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objective of this study was to analyze the diagnostic and clinical role of the folate receptor-α (FOLR1) and folate receptor-γ (FOLR3) genes in effusion cytology. Expression of the FOLR1 protein product, FR-α, was additionally studied. Ninety-one effusions (71 ovarian carcinomas, 10 breast carcinomas, 10 malignant mesotheliomas) were assayed for FOLR1 and FOLR3 gene expression using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. FR-α expression was analyzed using flow cytometry. Ovarian carcinoma expression levels were analyzed for association with clinicopathologic parameters and survival. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed significantly higher FOLR1and FOLR3 mRNA levels in ovarian carcinomas compared with both breast carcinomas and mesotheliomas (P < .001). FOLR1 and FOLR3 mRNA levels were directly interrelated in ovarian carcinoma (P < .001). FR-α protein levels were similarly higher in ovarian carcinoma compared with the 2 other cancer types (P < .001). FOLR1and FOLR3 mRNA and FR-α protein expression in ovarian carcinoma effusions showed no association with clinical parameters or survival. Our data suggest that folate receptor levels effectively differentiate ovarian carcinoma from other cancers affecting the serosal cavities and that folate receptor genes are coexpressed in this tumor. The high expression of folate receptors in ovarian carcinoma supports their validity as molecular therapeutic targets in this disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]