Peroxiredoxin 2 Controls Proliferation in Extracellular Matrix-Detached SKOV3 Ovarian Cancer Cells

Ovarian carcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer death for women living in the United States, where approximately 53% of individuals diagnosed succumb to this disease. This is primarily due to lack of early detection and the ability of ovarian cancer cells to spread, or metastasize, thus making the disease more difficult to treat. Non-tumorigenic epithelial cells rely on attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM) to thrive; however, cancer cells must be able to survive detached from the ECM in order to metastasize to other areas of the body. Studies have examined how cancer cells can metastasize and survive detachment, and it is evident that these cancer cells must contend with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study focuses on the antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) and its role in proliferation and cell survival in metastatic ovarian carcinoma. Here, we report that PRDX2 deficiency severely compromises growth in anchorage independence, and that PRDX2 deficiency uniquely abrogates proliferation in ECM detachment. Consequently, PRDX2 should be further explored as a therapeutic target for late-stage ovarian carcinoma.