Tryptophan metabolism enzymes are potential targets in ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Abstract Aim As the second most prevalent subtype of epithelial ovarian cancers, ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is known for its chemoresistance to conventional platinum‐based therapy. In this work, we examined the tryptophan (Trp) metabolism enzymes' differential expression in patients with OCCC to assess the potential for personalised treatment. Methods A total of 127 OCCC tissues were used to construct tissue microarrays, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of the Trp enzymes IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 was performed. The correlations between Trp enzyme expression and clinical characteristics were analysed. Results Positive IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 staining was identified in 26.8%, 94.5%, 75.6% and 82.7% of OCCC respectively. IDO1‐positive samples were more common in the chemoresistant group than in the platinum‐sensitive group (46.7% vs. 19.8%). Moreover, positive expression of IDO1, TDO2 and IL4I1 was related to advanced stage, metastasis, bilateral tumours, endometriosis and tumour rupture (p