Abstract 3158: Stathmin expression predicts response to taxanes in metastatic endometrial cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Introduction: Endometrial cancer is the most frequent gynecological cancer in industrialized countries. Although the majority have a good prognosis, up to 20% recurs. To date there are few markers available to predict response to treatment of metastatic endometrial cancer. Patients with tumors expressing estrogen- and progesterone receptors have the best response to antihormonal treatment. Still, more markers are needed to predict response to other therapy modalities in patients with metastatic endometrial cancer. Stathmin is known to have a role in microtubule dynamics. In ovarian cancer it was recently shown that high stathmin expression predicted unfavorable prognosis in patients treated with paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy. We therefore hypothesize that level of stathmin expression may predict response to microtubule-stabilizing chemotherapy in endometrial cancer. Material and methods: Between 2001 and 2010, 603 patients treated for endometrial cancer were recruited prospectively in a population based setting. Stathmin expression in primary tumors was measured by immunohistochemistry and linked to treatment response to taxanes in patients with metastatic disease. Response was evaluated by the RECIST criteria and analyzed as partial-/complete response versus stable disease/progression. Results: Of the 603 patients, a total of 117 either relapsed (n=80) or progressed (n=37) after their first line of treatment. Of these, 87 were treated; with chemotherapy (n=34), radiation (n=38) or hormonal therapy (n=15). The remainder did not receive any further treatment or underwent surgery. Complete information regarding response to therapy according to the RECIST criteria was available in 57 patients. Stathmin expression in primary tumors predicted response to microtubule-stabilising chemotherapy (p=0.02, Fisher Exact test): Amongst patients with low expression of stathmin 11 of 12 (92%) had partial-/complete response, whereas only 2 of 6 (33%) patients with a high level of stathmin had partial-/complete response. Stathmin expression was not associated with response to other treatment modalities. Conclusion: Stathmin expression in primary tumors predicts response to microtubule-stabilizing chemotherapy in metastatic endometrial cancer. Biologically, this is plausible due to the known function for stathmin in microtubule dynamics. A larger cohort is needed to confirm these data and the usefulness of stathmin expression as a marker for treatment of metastatic endometrial cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3158. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3158