Correlation of NQO1 and Nrf2 in Female Genital Tract Cancer and Their Precancerous Lesions (Cervix, Endometrium and Ovary)

BACKGROUND: NAD (P) H/quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a metabolizing enzyme that detoxifies chemical stressors and antioxidants. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NrF2) is an important transcriptional activator involved in the cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of NQO1 and Nrf2 in 80 cervical, 80 endometrial and 100 ovarian specimens with different lesions was studied. Then we study the relation of both NQO1 and Nrf2 expression and clinicopathological features of carcinoma cases. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical stain showed that NQO1 and Nrf2 were highly expressed in carcinoma compared with normal and precancerous lesions. Significant positive correlations were found between the mean expression of NQO1 and Nrf2 in different lesions. Moreover, there was significant correlation between the high level of NQO1 and Nrf2 expression and high tumor grade in cervical and endometrial carcinoma cases. Nrf2 expression was significant with advanced stage in endometrial and ovarian carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: NQO1 and Nrf2 might be new biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation as well as being targets for therapy in patients with tumors in female genital tract.