AEG-1 expression analysis in epithelial ovarian carcinoma: Uncovering distinctions between high-grade and low-grade serous carcinoma

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the most common form of ovarian cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) is an oncogene implicated in cancer cell growth and progression. The present study examined AEG-1 expression in EOC, specifically comparing high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC). The present retrospective analytical study employed a cross-sectional design and included women diagnosed with HGSOC or LGSOC between January 2021 and December 2023. Extracted data included demographic, laboratory and clinicopathological characteristics. In addition to comparing AEG-1 expression in HGSOC and LGSOC, associations between these histological subtypes and the extracted variables, as well as associations between AEG-1 expression and these variables, were assessed. Of the 74 patients initially identified, 24 were excluded, resulting in a final sample of 50 patients 23 with LGSOC and 27 with HGSOC. A statistically significant association was found between residual disease and cancer histopathology [odds ratio: 7.219; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.399-37.252; P=0.024), whereas no significant associations were observed with other variables. AEG-1 expression was significantly higher in HGSOC compared with LGSOC (relative risk: 3.228; 95% CI: 1.188-8.776; P=0.012), with high AEG-1 expression observed more frequently in HGSOC (65.7%) than in LGSOC (34.3%). In conclusion, AEG-1 expression was significantly elevated in HGSOC compared with LGSOC, suggesting a potential role for AEG-1 in the progression of HGSOC.