Evaluating L1CAM expression in human endometrial cancer using qRT-PCR

BACKGROUND: Management of endometrial carcinoma (EC) still needs improvement of risk assessment. Recently, L1CAM immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation showed a unique value to predict the outcome of early EC. However IHC results are often conflicting for lack of inter-laboratory standardisation. METHODS: Here, as a proof of concept and to increase reproducibility we assayed eighty-two EC and 26 normal endometrium samples for L1CAM expression (L1CAM(EXP)) via qRT-PCR. The IHC evaluation was performed in 50 cancer samples. Moreover, we aimed to substantiate the in-vitro findings of L1CAM regulation through its promoter methylation (L1CAM(MET)), miR-34a expression and miR-34a promoter methylation. DNA methylation was assessed with MethyLight PCR technique. RESULTS: High overall concordant results between IHC and RT-PCR evaluations were found. L1CAM(EXP) was detected in 11% of cancer specimens. These positive cancers exhibited a worse DFS (p=0.032) and OS (p=0.016) in a multivariate COX-regression model. L1CAM(EXP) predicted distant failure (p=0.007) and L1CAM(MET) predicted risk-reduction of lymph-node involvement (p=0.005). Inverse correlations between L1CAM(EXP) and L1CAM(MET) (p=0.004) and between L1CAM(EXP) and miR-34a expression (p=0.002) were found. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion qRT-PCR analysis is a reliable approach to evaluate L1CAM status in EC and L1CAM(EXP) was highly predictive for distant failure and poor outcome, confirming the large IHC-based studies. Interestingly, L1CAM(MET) was able to assess the risk of pelvic lymph-node involvement. Especially the latter finding has to be confirmed in larger prospective series.