Molecular markers in uterine serous cancer: Correlation between endometrial biopsy and hysterectomy specimens

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the correlation of molecular biomarkers between biopsy and final pathology specimens in uterine serous cancer (USC) and to establish the overall prevalence of specific biomarkers among subjects with USC. Methods: Twenty eight patients with a diagnosis of USC and sufficient biopsy and hysterectomy specimens were identified. IHC was used to measure the biomarker status of EGFR, phospho-AKT, ER, PR, Her2/neu, and PTEN in FFPE tissue. The presence or absence of individual biomarkers was then compared between a given subject's diagnostic biopsy specimen and final hysterectomy specimen. Results: In the cohort identified, average age was 72 and average BMI was 29. 75% of patients had full lymphadenectomy performed. The average time from biopsy to surgery was 33 days (range 9–91 days). The distribution of disease was 61% stage I (n = 17), 14% stage II (n = 4), 22% stage III (n = 6) and 4% stage IV (n = 1). Biopsy and hysterectomy specimens agreed 67% of the time for phospho-AKT, 80% for ER, 73% for PR, 83% for EGFR, 100% for Her2/neu and 95% for PTEN loss. Conclusions: The measurement of specific biomarkers correlated well between subjects' biopsy and hysterectomy specimens in women with USC as measured by a pathologist using routine clinical techniques. Preoperative diagnostic biopsy may be a useful tool for guiding neoadjuvant targeted therapy in USC. Keywords: Uterine serous cancer, Molecular markers