Apolipoprotein D expression in endometrial carcinomas.
BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein D is a protein component of the human plasma lipid transport system but is also associated with a more favorable prognosis in breast cancer and ovarian cancer women. This study was undertaken to examine the tumoral expression of apolipoprotein D in endometrial cancer and to analyze the possible correlation with tumor and patients characteristics as well as androgen receptors and its prognostic significance. METHODS: Immunohistochemical evaluation was used to examine apolipoprotein D expression in paraffin blocks from 58 endometrial carcinomas. RESULTS: A total of twenty (34%) tumors stained positively. Staining was localized in tumor cells. No significant correlation was found between apo D expression and patients or tumor characteristics and androgen receptor status. In addition, apolipoprotein D expression was not associated with patient prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Apolipoprotein D is expressed by a significant percentage of endometrial carcinomas without apparent association with other clinicopathologic parameters or with outcome of patients.