Clinicopathologic Characteristics of a Single-institution Cohort of Ovarian Adult Granulosa Cell Tumors, With Biomarker and Therapeutic Implications Utilizing the Detection of Androgen, Estrogen, and Progesterone Hormone Receptor Expression by Immunohistochemistry

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2024 Sep 1;43(5):527-534. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0000000000001032. Epub 2024 Mar 27.

Abstract

Adult granulosa cell tumors (AGCTs) are rare ovarian tumors with generally good prognosis after surgical resection; however, they do have recurrence potential. Therapeutic and management options for recurrences are currently limited, and the need for expanded adjuvant therapies is increasingly recognized. Anti-hormonal therapy is being explored as an option, which relies on the detection and assessment of hormone receptor expression (androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors) as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Our study identifies several clinicopathologic characteristics with significant associations for recurrence of AGCT, which were younger age, higher stage, and larger tumor size. Our study also demonstrates that androgen receptor (AR) expression may be utilized as a potential biomarker for hormonal therapy and that detection of AR expression in AGCT by immunohistochemistry (IHC) varies depending on the antibody clone used for testing. AR was detected in 95% of samples tested with antibodies derived from clone AR27. This detection rate is much higher than previously reported.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor* / diagnosis
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor* / metabolism
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Receptors, Androgen* / metabolism
  • Receptors, Estrogen* / metabolism
  • Receptors, Progesterone* / metabolism

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone

Supplementary concepts

  • Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary