Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access

Abstract

Upregulation of DEK Expression in Uterine Myomas and Cervical Cancer as a Potential Prognostic Factor

Anastasia Tsigkou, Amelia Janiak, Peng Cheng Tan MS, Ferdinand Kappes, Felice Petraglia, Chiara Donati, Xinyue Liu, Renata Koviazina, Fangrong Shen

Background: Gynecological tumors, including uterine myomas and cervical cancer, significantly affect women's health worldwide. Despite advances in diagnostic tools, reliable biomarkers remain limited. DEK, a protooncogene involved in chromatin remodeling, DNA repair, and transcription regulation, has shown potential as a prognostic marker in several malignancies. This study investigates DEK expression in uterine myomas and cervical cancer tissues compared to normal uterine tissues.

Methods: Tissue samples from Chinese female patients undergoing surgery for uterine myomas or cervical cancer were collected. DEK mRNA levels were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and DEK protein levels were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, Tukey's HSD, Kruskal-Wallis H, and Mann-Whitney U tests, were performed to assess differences in expression among tissue types.

Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significantly elevated DEK protein expression in cervical cancer tissues, moderate expression in uterine myomas, and minimal expression in normal uterine tissues. Western blotting confirmed these findings, showing statistically significant differences in DEK protein levels between normal and pathological tissues. However, qRT-PCR results indicated no statistically significant differences in DEK mRNA expression across tissue types.

Conclusion: Elevated DEK protein expression in cervical cancer and uterine myoma tissues suggests its involvement in both tumor development and suppression, making it a promising biomarker for early detection in gynecological tumors. Further research is necessary to elucidate DEK's mechanisms in gynecological tumorigenesis and its potential as an early biomarker, addressing a critical need in women's health.

Published Date: 2025-01-30; Received Date: 2025-01-08