Integrated genome-wide DNA copy number and expression analysis identifies distinct mechanisms of primary chemoresistance in ovarian carcinomas.

Purpose: A significant number of women with serous ovarian cancer are intrinsically refractory to platinum-based treatment. We analyzed somatic DNA copy number variation and gene expression data to identify key mechanisms associated with primary resistance in advanced-stage serous cancers.

Experimental Design: Genome-wide copy number variation was measured in 118 ovarian tumors using high-resolution oligonucleotide microarrays.

Mutation of ERBB2 provides a novel alternative mechanism for the ubiquitous activation of RAS-MAPK in ovarian serous low malignant potential tumors.

Approximately, 10% to 15% of serous ovarian tumors fall into the category designated as tumors of low malignant potential (LMP). Like their invasive counterparts, LMP tumors may be associated with extraovarian disease, for example, in the peritoneal cavity and regional lymph nodes. However, unlike typical invasive carcinomas, patients generally have a favorable prognosis.

Novel molecular subtypes of serous and endometrioid ovarian cancer linked to clinical outcome.

Purpose: The study aim to identify novel molecular subtypes of ovarian cancer by gene expression profiling with linkage to clinical and pathologic features.

Experimental Design: Microarray gene expression profiling was done on 285 serous and endometrioid tumors of the ovary, peritoneum, and fallopian tube. K-means clustering was applied to identify robust molecular subtypes.