Mechanisms of chemoresistance and poor prognosis in ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Published Online: 28 Mar 2008 © Japanese Cancer Association

Review Article

Mechanisms of chemoresistance and poor prognosis in ovarian clear cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) accounts for 4% to 12% of epithelial ovarian cancer in Western countries and, for some unknown reasons, it comprises more than 20% of such cancers in Japan. CCC shows unique clinical features such as a high incidence of stage I disease, a large pelvic mass, an increased incidence of vascular thromboembolic complications, and hypercalcemia. It is frequently associated with endometriosis.

Compared to serous adenocarcinoma (SAC), CCC is relatively resistant to conventional platinum, or taxane-based chemotherapy which is associated with its poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying CCC's resistance to chemotherapy have not been understood...... Therefore, lower proliferation of the tumor cells may contribute to their resistance to chemotherapy...."