Novel Hypoxia-Associated Markers of Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer

L McEvoy, S O'Toole, C Spillane, B Stordal, M Gallagher, C Martin, L Norris, N Gleeson, A McGoldrick, F Furlong, A McCann, O Sheils, J O'Leary

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Background:
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer in women and has poor
long-term survival, in part, due to chemoresistance. Tumour hypoxia is associated with
chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. However, relatively little is known about the genes
activated in ovarian cancer which cause chemoresistance due to hypoxia. This study
aimed to firstly identify genes whose expression is associated with hypoxia-induced
chemoresistance, and secondly select hypoxia-associated biomarkers and evaluate their
expression in ovarian tumours.
Design:
Cisplatin-sensitive (A2780) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780cis) ovarian cancer
cell lines were exposed to combinations of hypoxia and/or cisplatin as part of a matrix
designed to reflect clinically relevant scenarios. RNA was extracted and interrogated
on Affymetrix Human Gene arrays. Differential gene expression was analysed for cells
exposed to hypoxia and/or treated with cisplatin. Potential markers of chemoresistance
were selected for evaluation in a cohort of ovarian tumour samples by R
T-PCR.
Results:
A wide range of genes associated with chemoresistance were differentially
expressed in cells exposed to hypoxia and/or cisplatin. Selected genes [ANGPTL4,
HER3 and HIF-1
α
] were chosen for further validation in a cohort of ovarian tumour
samples. High expression of ANGPTL4 trended towards reduced progression-free and
overall survival. High expression of HER3 trended to increased progression-free but
reduced overall survival, while high expression of HIF-1
α
trended towards reduced
progression-free and increased overall survival.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, this study has further characterized the relationship between
hypoxia and chemoresistance in an ovarian cancer model. We have also identified many
potential biomarkers of hypoxia and platinum resistance and provided initial validation
of a subset of these markers in ovarian cancer tissues.
Original languageEnglish
Pages288A
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Feb 2013
EventThe 102nd USCAP Annual Meeting - Maryland, Baltimore, United States
Duration: 02 Mar 201308 Mar 2013

Conference

ConferenceThe 102nd USCAP Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBaltimore
Period02/03/201308/03/2013

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