Molecular characterization of endometrial cancer and therapeutic implications

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of review This article reviews the emerging comprehensive genomic classification of endometrial carcinoma and discusses the therapeutic implications of these subgroups. Recent findings Comprehensive, multiplatform evaluation of endometrial cancers by the Cancer Genome Atlas stratified the molecular aberrations into four distinct subtypes: POLE mutations, microsatellite instability, copy-number low/microsatellite stable, and copy-number high/'serous-like.' POLE-mutant tumors have a favorable prognosis and may often be overtreated. Microsatellite instability hypermutated tumors commonly have alterations in the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases/AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway and limiting targeted therapy to this group may lead to greater response rates. Copy-number low/microsatellite stable tumors represent the majority of grade 1 and grade 2 endometrioid cancers and have an intermediate prognosis, few TP53 mutations, but frequent mutations in genes involved with Wingless-related integration site signaling. Approximately 25% of high-grade endometrioid tumors have mutational profiles that classify as copy-number high/'serous-like' and might benefit from treatment approaches similar to those for serous tumors. Summary Molecular characterization of endometrial cancer classifies tumors into prognostically significant subtypes with a broad range of therapeutic implications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)35-39
Number of pages5
JournalCurrent Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Copy-number high
  • Copy-number low
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Microsatellite instability hypermutated
  • Molecular subtypes
  • POLE ultramutated

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular characterization of endometrial cancer and therapeutic implications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this