Beta-catenin or Pax 2. Which one is more useful in endometrial cancer?

Abstract

Aim : Pax 2 is a nuclear transcription factor. It is essential for the embryonic development of Mullerian organs and is suppressed through at later stages of embryonic development, but is reactivated during carcinogenesis. Beta-catenin is a protein that is translocated from membrane to cytoplasm and nucleus in WNT activation as a signaling pathway. Endometrioid carcinoma is associated with beta-catenin mutations. This study aimed to evaluate PAX2 and Beta-catenin expressions in benign and precancerous endometrial hyperplasias. Material and Methods: The study was performed on 40 endometrial curettage materials, including benign endometrial hyperplasia (n: 20), precancerous endometrial hyperplasia (n: 10), and endometrioid carcinoma (n: 20) as study groups. For immunohistochemical evaluation, one representative paraffin block for each case was selected. Results: Pax 2 nuclear staining was detected in all endometrial tissues. The mean percentage was % 70 in benign hyperplasia and % 90 in precancerous endometrial hyperplasia and endometrioid carcinoma. Beta-catenin membranous-cytoplasmic staining was detected in only precancerous endometrial hyperplasia with a percentage of % 80 and endometrioid carcinoma with a percentage of % 90. Discussion: Pax 2 is expressed in benign endometrial hyperplastic, precancerous endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, but beta catenin is expressed in only precancerous endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma. These findings suggest that both the WNT signaling pathway and PAX 2 transcription factor may contribute to the development of endometrial cancer.