Immunohistochemical c-kit expression in uterine serous carcinoma tissue

Aim: Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is an aggressive tumor that represents only 10% of endometrial cancer cases but accounts for a disproportionate number of deaths due to uterine cancer. Advances in the development of specific c-kit receptor-targeted drugs have promoted its potential therapeutic application as a target in tumor-related diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate imunohistochemical expression of c-kit in USC tissue in order to assess whether positive cases can be candidates for targeted therapy. Materials and Methods: C-kit expression assessment by immunohistochemistry was performed on deparaffinized sections of paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of confirmed consecutive available USC uterine specimens of patients diagnosed from 2000 to 2014. Sections of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) tissue known to contain c-kit served as positive controls. Results: Immunohistochemical c-kit staining was not observed in any of 31 USC tissue samples examined. Intense staining was observed in the sections of GIST tissue. Conclusion: The present results may indicate that primary USC is not a candidate for c-kit targeted therapy.

C-kit tissue expression; Uterine serous carcinoma; Targeted therapy.

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