GATA3 expression in estrogen receptor alpha-negative endometrial carcinomas identifies aggressive tumors with high proliferation and poor patient survival.

Objective: The transcription factor GATA3 has recently been found to be involved in the carcinogenesis for numerous cancers. We investigated this marker in relation to clinicopathologic characteristics, hormone receptors, other biomarkers, and survival in endometrial carcinoma.

Study Design: A population-based study of 316 endometrial carcinomas with complete follow-up was studied for GATA3, estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha, ERbeta2, and progesterone receptor (PR) expression.

Results: Positive GATA3 expression in hysterectomy specimens significantly correlated to high International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, serous papillary/clear cell subtypes, high histologic grade, loss of PR expression, aneuploidy, high proliferation, pathologic p53 and p16 expression, and poor prognosis (P = .003). Loss of hormone receptors significantly correlated with aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. Pathologic expression of GATA3/ERalpha in combination added independent prognostic information.

Conclusion: GATA3 expression is associated with an aggressive phenotype and adds independent prognostic information in addition to receptor status. Further studies of its value in tailored treatment protocols seem justified.