The prognostic and therapeutic potential of Claudin-6 and Trop-2 expression as targeted biomarkers in serous ovarian cancer: An observational study

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic and predictive significance of Claudin-6 and trophoblast cell surface antigen-2 (Trop-2) expression in serous ovarian carcinoma, assessing their influence on treatment efficacy and clinical outcomes. A retrospective cohort of 73 patients diagnosed with serous ovarian carcinoma was analyzed. All patients underwent standard cytoreductive surgery, with or without neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression levels of Claudin-6 and Trop-2. Survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models, with overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint. High Trop-2 expression was observed in 67.1% of the patients, while 46.6% exhibited high Claudin-6 expression. Both markers were more common in older, postmenopausal patients, those with larger tumors, and those with distant metastasis. However, no significant associations were found with clinical factors (P > .05). Survival analysis demonstrated that high Trop-2 and Claudin-6 expression were associated with shorter OS and progression-free survival (PFS). Patients with high Trop-2 expression exhibited a median OS of 38 months and PFS of 32 months, whereas those with low Trop-2 expression had a median OS of 62 months and PFS of 60 months (OS: P = .039, PFS: P = .020). Similarly, high Claudin-6 expression was associated with a median OS of 32 months and PFS of 21 months, compared to an OS of 60 months and PFS of 56 months in patients with low Claudin-6 expression (OS: P = .005, PFS: P = .003). Both univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that advanced age, and high Trop-2, and high Claudin-6 expression were significant predictors of poor OS and PFS (P < .05). These findings underscore the prognostic significance of Claudin-6 and Trop-2 in ovarian cancer, with elevated expression correlating with poorer survival outcomes. These markers may serve as independent prognostic factors, and their targeting through antibody-drug conjugates offers a potential therapeutic strategy to improve survival outcomes and overcome treatment resistance.