Claudin-5 overexpression correlates with aggressive behavior in serous ovarian adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Claudins are essential tight junctional proteins between adjacent epithelial, mesothelial or endothelial cells, and are responsible for the permeability of the paracellular space. The expression of claudin-5 and its correlation to ovarian cancer behavior was investigasted. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 85 serous ovarian cancer tissue samples were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS An association between claudin-5 expression and cancer grade (p=0.016) and advanced stage (p=0.022), strongest claudin-5 expression was found in advanced stage and high-grade carcinomas. An association between claudin-5 expression and cancer-specific (p=0.032) and overall survival (p=0.026) was also found. Only 25-30% of claudin-5-positive patients, but 60% of claudin-5-negative patiens were alive at the 5-years follow-up. CONCLUSION Increased claudin-5 expression is associated with aggressive behavior in serous ovarian adenocarcinoma.