Evaluation of the OvarianTag biomarker panel's applicability in detecting Krukenberg tumors.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61229/mpj.v2i2.58

Keywords:

Krukenberg tumor, Ovarian cancer, Biomarkers, retrospective study

Abstract

Krukenberg tumor is a metastatic ovarian adenocarcinoma, typically originating from the gastrointestinal tract, especially gastric cancer. It accounts for a significant proportion of ovarian tumors, being more common in Asian populations. These tumors usually affect younger women and have a poor prognosis. Diagnosis is challenging due to clinical similarities with other ovarian cancers, requiring a multimodal approach, including imaging tests, histopathological analysis, and biochemical markers. CA-125 may be useful in diagnosis but lacks specificity. Identifying molecular biomarkers specific to Krukenberg tumors could improve diagnosis and treatment. This study investigated the use of the OvarianTag® biomarker panel, developed to assess the prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), to differentiate between primary ovarian cancers and metastatic tumors from other sites, such as those from gastrointestinal origin. The research analyzed Krukenberg tumor samples and primary ovarian cancer samples, utilizing RNA extracted from tumor tissues and gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR. Despite genetic analysis, the OvarianTag® algorithm was unable to distinguish Krukenberg tumors from primary ovarian cancers accurately. The expression of genes TNFSRF10B, TNFSRF10C, and CASP8 showed no significant differences between the groups, and the algorithm failed to classify Krukenberg tumors correctly. These results suggest that OvarianTag® is not effective for this specific application, highlighting the need for new biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of metastatic ovarian tumors.

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Author Biographies

Ana Beatriz Ramos Do Nascimento, Instituto René Rachou Fiocruz Minas

Bachelor's degree in Biomedicine from Universidade FUMEC and a graduate student in the Health Sciences program at Instituto René Rachou - Fiocruz Minas. Experienced in Molecular Biology. Currently conducting the project titled "Validation of a panel of miRNAs and soluble mediators as a tool for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic guidance in breast cancer" within the Health Sciences graduate program. Previously participated in research projects titled "Intelligent Platform for Precision Oncology Without the Use of Biomarkers," "Characterization of Cell Subpopulations Present in the Ascitic Fluid of Patients with Metastatic Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC)," and "Validation of OvarianTag Biomarkers for Confirmation of Krukenberg Tumor," which was presented as a thesis project during the Scientific Initiation conducted at the Teaching and Research Center of Instituto Mário Penna (2022-2024). During undergraduate studies, presented research at symposiums, displayed posters at conferences, served as a class representative and a member of the course committee, provided tutoring in General and Organic Chemistry, and was part of the organizing committees for symposiums held at Universidade FUMEC. Completed an internship in clinical analysis at the Hospital Universitário Ciências Médicas and Associação Evangélica Beneficente de Minas Gerais.

Eduardha Santos Temponi Barroso, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Currently in the 9th semester of Medicine at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Holds a PROBIC scholarship for the scientific initiation project "Characterization of the Immunological Profile in Patients with High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma and Its Correlation with Treatment Response and Survival." Works in the research laboratory at Instituto Mário Penna. Interested in the fields of surgery, family and community medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, and internal medicine.

Anna Carolina Almeida de Paula, Center for Nuclear Technology Development

Graduated in Biomedicine from Faculdade de Minas - FAMINAS and currently pursuing a master's degree in Science and Technology of Radiation, Minerals, and Materials at the Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear (CDTN). During her career, worked as a voluntary intern in the Clinical Pathology department at Hospital Luxemburgo (Instituto Mário Penna), gaining experience in Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Biochemistry, and Uroanalysis. Conducted research as a Scientific Initiation student funded by CNPq at CDTN, with a focus on genetics and cancer, exploring topics such as microvesicles, liquid biopsy, nanobiosensors, and nanomedicine. Currently, she is dedicated to the development of aptamers for the diagnosis and study of the dengue virus, combining science and innovation to contribute to advancements in public health and addressing global challenges.

Stephanie Braga Gonçalves da Silva, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais

Medical student (2021-2026) at Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, currently in the 9th semester. Former scientific initiation scholarship holder funded by FAPEMIG at Instituto Mário Penna (2021-2022). Completed an internship at the Pathology Laboratory of Hospital Luxemburgo (2021-2022) and is currently undertaking an internship in Elderly Health at FCMMG.

Rafaela L opes Figueiredo de Andrade, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais

Biomedical scientist, Master in Morphofunctional Sciences from Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, and specialist in Quality Systems Management and Auditing from Centro Universitário de Belo Horizonte. Currently, works as a technical support at the startup OncoTag. Contributed as a translational oncology research fellow at the Teaching, Research, and Innovation Center (NEPI) of Instituto Mário Penna, where she also took her first steps in scientific initiation during her undergraduate studies (2020-2022). Even during high school, she was involved in the world of science, participating in the Junior Scientific Initiation Program PROVOC/CNPq at FIOCRUZ, focusing on Immunology (2010). Her experience spans molecular biology, immunology, and laboratory quality management.

Thalía Rodrigues de Souza Zózimo, Technical Support at the Teaching, Research, and Innovation Center of Instituto Mário Penna

Graduated in Biomedicine from Centro Universitário UNA and holds a master's degree in Genetics from the renowned Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. In my current role, I serve as technical support at the Translational Oncology Research Laboratory at the prestigious Instituto Mário Penna for Teaching, Research, and Innovation, analyzing genomic data from patients affected by breast and ovarian cancer. My professional journey spans various areas, from transfusion medicine to clinical analysis, with significant experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Interested in molecular biology, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and biotechnology, I am constantly striving to innovate my laboratory practices. I am excited to contribute to the advancement of scientific research, developing more precise and effective approaches in the healthcare field.

Aline Luiza Costa e Silva, Women's Health Program at the Federal University of Minas Gerais

Bachelor's degree in Medicine from Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (2011-2017). Residency in Internal Medicine at Instituto Mário Penna (2018-2020). Residency in Clinical Oncology at Instituto Mário Penna (2020-2023). Full member of the Brazilian Society of Oncology (SBOC). Postgraduate student in Palliative Care at Universidade Federal de São João Del Rey (UFSJ). Master's student at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Women's Health.

Ramon De Alencar Pereira, Teaching, Research, and Innovation Center of Instituto Mário Penna

Biologist, undergraduate in Systems Analysis and Development. MBA in Data Science Analytics from USP, Master's and PhD in Pathology from the Postgraduate Program in Pathology at UFMG, where he conducted research related to immunopathology and drug testing. He has experience as a technical scientific support and was a faculty member in the Medicine course at Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais. Currently, he is undertaking a Postdoctoral internship through the Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology at UFU, where he is developing a study on the application of artificial intelligence tools for the identification of predictive and prognostic immunohistochemical biomarkers in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Additionally, he is a scientific researcher at the Translational Research Laboratory of the Teaching, Research, and Innovation Center (NEPI) at Instituto Mário Penna, focusing on research aimed at identifying predictive and prognostic markers for breast, ovarian, cervical cancers, and central nervous system tumors as part of personalized medicine strategies.

Pedro Henrique Villar Delfino, OncoTag

Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis on Biotechnology and the Environment from Centro Universitário Una (2015). Master's degree (2016-2017) and PhD (2017-2022) in Health Sciences: Medicine-Biomedicine (with an emphasis on Immunology: Immunometabolism in Neurodegenerative and Inflammatory Diseases and Acquisition of Therapeutic Targets) from FSC-BH. Currently, CEO of the startup OncoTag, focusing on creating innovative personalized medicine solutions based on Artificial Intelligence to transform oncological treatment, with an emphasis on building new molecular panels for prognosis prediction in oncology. Awarded 1st place (Dr. Marcus Vinicius Gomez Award) in the Master's category for the work titled "Effect of Galanin on the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Granulocytes of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis."

Paulo Guilherme de Oliveira Salles, Teaching, Research, and Innovation Center of Instituto Mário Penna

Graduated in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (FM-UFMG, 1995). Residency in Internal Medicine at Hospital Municipal Odilon Behrens (1996) and in Pathology at Hospital das Clínicas of FM-UFMG (1999). Master’s degree in Medical Pathology from FM-UFMG (2001). Research Fellow in Urological Pathology at Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia, USA - 2002). MBA in Healthcare System Management from IBMEC-MG (2007). Ph.D. in Medicine from FM-UFMG (2010). Member of the editorial board of Mário Penna Journal (2022). Senior pathologist in laboratories in Belo Horizonte (MG) and São Paulo (SP). Scientific Director of the Institute of Education and Research (IEPI) at Instituto Mário Penna (Belo Horizonte, MG).

     

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Published

2025-10-23

How to Cite

Ramos Do Nascimento, A. B., Santos Temponi Barroso, E., Almeida de Paula, A. C., Braga Gonçalves da Silva, S., opes Figueiredo de Andrade, R. L., Rodrigues de Souza Zózimo, T., Costa e Silva, A. L., De Alencar Pereira, R., Villar Delfino, P. H., de Oliveira Salles, P. G., & Gomes Goulart Ferreira, J. (2025). Evaluation of the OvarianTag biomarker panel’s applicability in detecting Krukenberg tumors. Mário Penna Journal, 2(2), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.61229/mpj.v2i2.58

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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2024): Mário Penna Journal

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