Expressão da enzima SIRT 1, p 53 e receptores hormonais (RE / RP) no endométrio neoplásico e sadio

Abstract

Background – Recent studies have demonstrated that the chromatin structure proteins named histones have an important role in gene expression. Acetylation, deacetylation and fosforylation of such proteins may result in upregulation or repression of transcription genes. An imbalance of these systems may result in the development of many diseases, including cancer. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a member of the family of histone deacetylases NAD – dependents and is involved in the regulation of transcription and apoptosis activation related to p53 gene. There are several changes in the expression of hormone receptors and p53 in endometrial cancer, but the role of SIRT1 in these tumors is still to be defined. Objective - To identify, quantify and compare SIRT1, p53, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in normal and neoplastic endometrial tissue. Methods – Case-control study comparing 96 cases of endometrial cancer and 128 control samples comprised of normal endometrium. All samples were selected from the Pathology Service, Hospital Sao Lucas of PUCRS between January, 2000 and June, 2012. The factors studied in this paper were analyzed in paraffin specimens by immunohistochemistry technique. Results – Expression of SIRT1 was assessed by the mean percentage of cells with positive nuclear staining was higher in the cancer group as compared to the control group. Expression of ER and PR was higher in the normal endometrium. There is no difference between case and control groups regarding the expression of p53. More aggressive cancers (high grade and stage III-IV) have a reduction on the expression of PR. Conclusion – The immunohistochemical expression of SIRT1 histone deacetylase was significantly higher in endometrial cancer samples, suggesting a possible new target therapy.