Prognostic Significance of L1CAM Expression in Endometrial Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is predominantly having a favorable prognosis. However, there is still need to identify prognostic biomarkers for improved categorization into high- or low-risk EC. There is ongoing debate about the predictive significance of L1CAM expression in EC. Aim of the study: to investigate the prognostic role of L1CAM in EC. Methods: This is a retrospective study included 52 randomly selected formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks of endometrial carcinoma. Cases included 50 cases of endometroid EC and two cases of non-endometroid EC. Tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically with L1CAM antibody. Results: Regarding endometroid subtype cases, positive L1CAM expression was detected in 19 /50 (38%) cases. A significant positive association was found between positive L1CAM expression and higher tumor grade (p = 0.01), advanced tumor stage (p = 0.02), presence of LVI (p <0.04), post-menopausal state (p=0.02) and cervical stromal invasion ( p=0.002). Additionally, positive significant association was found between L1CAM expression and higher risk groups (p = 0.003). No significant associations were found between L1CAM expression and patients’ age, tumor necrosis, tumor site and tumor size (p = 0.7, p = 0.4, p = 0.4 and p = 0.2 respectively). Regarding both serous and clear cell types cases, high positive expression for L1CAM was detected. Conclusion. Our results suggest that L1CAM expression may help to detect EC patient group with poor prognostic features. L1CAM can be an additional tool of a considerable value for risk stratification in EC with potential therapeutic utility.