Assessment of Apoptotic Activity Dysregulation and Oxidative Stress in the Development of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Case-Controlled Descriptive Analysis.

Aim: In the present study, we aimed to assess whether oxidative stress and apoptotic activity play a role in the development of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods: The study group included patients with EOC (n = 26) and benign ovarian tumour (BOT) (n = 25), while 30 healthy women were employed as a control group. Venous blood samples were drawn to evaluate oxidative stress parameters and serum M30/M65 antigen levels before surgery. In addition, blood samples were taken for the second time on postoperative day 8 to analyse whether the postoperative tumour load was decreased.

Results: When the groups were assessed regarding oxidative stress, the highest values were detected in patients with EOC. Serum M30/M65 levels were found to be higher in patients with EOC when compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). A significant decrease was determined in the M30/M65 levels of serum samples taken on postoperative day 8 from the patients in the EOC and BOT groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that dysregulation of apoptotic activity could be effective in the development of ovarian tumoural tissue, whereas oxidative stress could be effective in malignant transformation.