Abstract: Objective To explore expressions of CD133, E-cadherin and Snail in hu¬man epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and
elucidate their relationship with the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of the patients. Methods The expression of
CD133, E-cadherin and Snail were detected by immunohistochemical staining in 150 specimens of EOC and 50 specimens of
benign ovarian epithelial tumor tissues. Results The positivity rates of CD133, E-cadherin and Snail protein in EOC were
58.7%, 60.7% and 32.7%, respectively, significantly different from the rates in benign epithelial tumor tissues (10%, 8.0%, and
70% , respectively; P<0.05). The expressions of CD133, E-cadherin and Snail in EOC were significantly correlated with
abdominal organ and lymphnode metastases and FIGO stage (P<0.01). E-cadherin expression was inversely correlated with
Snail and CD133 expression (r=-0.545 and -0.570, P<0.01), and the latter two were positively correlated (r=0.599, P<0.01).
Overexpressions of CD133 and Snail and a decreased expression of E-cadherin were all related to a poor prognosis of the
patients (P<0.05). FIGO stage and expressions of CD133, E-cadherin and Snail were all independent prognostic factors of EOC
(P<0.05). Conclusion The expressions of CD133, E-cadherin and Snail are related to lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, and
prognosis of EOC. Combined detection of these indexes provides important evidence for predicting the progression and
prognosis of EOC.