When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated Dichotomy

The dualistic classification of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) into “type I” and “type II” is widely applied in the research setting; it is used as a convenient way of conceptualizing different mechanisms of tumorigenesis. However, this classification conflicts with recent molecular insights of the...

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Main Authors: Carolina Salazar, Ian G. Campbell, Kylie L. Gorringe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2018-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2018.00654/full
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author Carolina Salazar
Carolina Salazar
Ian G. Campbell
Ian G. Campbell
Kylie L. Gorringe
Kylie L. Gorringe
author_facet Carolina Salazar
Carolina Salazar
Ian G. Campbell
Ian G. Campbell
Kylie L. Gorringe
Kylie L. Gorringe
author_sort Carolina Salazar
collection DOAJ
description The dualistic classification of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) into “type I” and “type II” is widely applied in the research setting; it is used as a convenient way of conceptualizing different mechanisms of tumorigenesis. However, this classification conflicts with recent molecular insights of the etiology of EOC. Molecular and cell of origin studies indicate that while type II tumors could be classed together, type I tumors are not homogenous, even within the histological types, and can have poor clinical outcomes. Type II high grade serous carcinoma and type I low grade serous carcinomas best fit the description of the dualistic model, with different precursors, and distinct molecular profiles. However, endometriosis-associated cancers should be considered a separate group, without assuming an indolent course or type I genetic profiles. Furthermore, the very clear differences between mucinous ovarian carcinomas and other type I tumors, including an uncertain origin, and heterogeneous mutational spectrum and clinical behavior, indicate a non-type I classification for this entity. The impression that only type II carcinomas are aggressive, have poor prognosis, and carry TP53 mutations is an unhelpful misinterpretation of the dualistic classification. In this review, we revisit the history of EOC classification, and discuss the misunderstanding of the dualistic model by comparing the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of EOC types. We also emphasize that all EOC research, both basic and clinical, should consider the subtypes as different diseases beyond the type I/type II model, and base novel therapies on the molecular characteristics of each tumor.
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spelling doaj.art-f21b8c71586544d98db1c21dd04ba8b62022-12-21T22:42:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2018-12-01810.3389/fonc.2018.00654429907When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated DichotomyCarolina Salazar0Carolina Salazar1Ian G. Campbell2Ian G. Campbell3Kylie L. Gorringe4Kylie L. Gorringe5Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaThe dualistic classification of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) into “type I” and “type II” is widely applied in the research setting; it is used as a convenient way of conceptualizing different mechanisms of tumorigenesis. However, this classification conflicts with recent molecular insights of the etiology of EOC. Molecular and cell of origin studies indicate that while type II tumors could be classed together, type I tumors are not homogenous, even within the histological types, and can have poor clinical outcomes. Type II high grade serous carcinoma and type I low grade serous carcinomas best fit the description of the dualistic model, with different precursors, and distinct molecular profiles. However, endometriosis-associated cancers should be considered a separate group, without assuming an indolent course or type I genetic profiles. Furthermore, the very clear differences between mucinous ovarian carcinomas and other type I tumors, including an uncertain origin, and heterogeneous mutational spectrum and clinical behavior, indicate a non-type I classification for this entity. The impression that only type II carcinomas are aggressive, have poor prognosis, and carry TP53 mutations is an unhelpful misinterpretation of the dualistic classification. In this review, we revisit the history of EOC classification, and discuss the misunderstanding of the dualistic model by comparing the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of EOC types. We also emphasize that all EOC research, both basic and clinical, should consider the subtypes as different diseases beyond the type I/type II model, and base novel therapies on the molecular characteristics of each tumor.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2018.00654/fullepithelial ovarian cancertype I-II tumorsdualistic modelclassificationovarian carcinoma
spellingShingle Carolina Salazar
Carolina Salazar
Ian G. Campbell
Ian G. Campbell
Kylie L. Gorringe
Kylie L. Gorringe
When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated Dichotomy
Frontiers in Oncology
epithelial ovarian cancer
type I-II tumors
dualistic model
classification
ovarian carcinoma
title When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated Dichotomy
title_full When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated Dichotomy
title_fullStr When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated Dichotomy
title_full_unstemmed When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated Dichotomy
title_short When Is “Type I” Ovarian Cancer Not “Type I”? Indications of an Out-Dated Dichotomy
title_sort when is type i ovarian cancer not type i indications of an out dated dichotomy
topic epithelial ovarian cancer
type I-II tumors
dualistic model
classification
ovarian carcinoma
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2018.00654/full
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