Molecular Landscape of Advanced Endometrial Cancer: Exploratory Analyses at Modena Cancer Center (MEMO)
Despite the introduction of novel therapeutic options, the prognosis of advanced endometrial cancer remains poor. In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the molecular characterization of endometrial cancer. However, data specifically focusing on advanced-stage disease are still limited. In our single-center, retrospective, exploratory study with a limited sample size, we analyzed 32 patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated at the Modena Cancer Center. Comprehensive molecular profiling was performed to assess DNA mutations, copy number variations, and RNA expression. We characterized the molecular landscape of this cohort, evaluated selected genomic alterations across predefined clinical subgroups, and explored their association with overall survival. Consistent with previous reports, a high prevalence of <i>PTEN</i> and <i>PIK3CA</i> mutations were observed. Patients experiencing relapse more than six months after diagnosis were more likely to harbor <i>CTNNB1</i> mutations. <i>KRAS</i> mutations were more frequently detected in younger patients and in those with endometrioid histology, whereas <i>PPP2R1A</i> and <i>TP53</i> mutations were enriched in tumors with non-endometrioid histology. Notably, <i>CTNNB1</i> mutations were associated with a favorable prognostic impact, while <i>KRAS</i> mutations correlated with poorer overall survival. Our findings underscore the need for further investigation into the molecular landscape of advanced endometrial cancer, particularly in the context of therapeutic implications. Combinatorial treatment strategies targeting specific molecular alterations, such as <i>KRAS</i>, in combination with other targeted agents or therapeutic approaches, warrant further exploration.
Authors
- Roberto Sabbatini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8943-7545)
- Albino Eccher
- M. Dominici
- Roberto D’Amico
- Riccardo Cuoghi Costantini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9116-5198)
- Laura Botticelli
- Cinzia Baldessari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3051-8057)
- Francesca Bacchelli
- Maria Giuseppa Vitale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8551-266X)
- Stefania Pipitone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2677-1877)
- Stefania Bettelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3885-674X)
- Marta Pirola
- Samantha Manfredini
- Chiara Carlucci
- Eleonora Molinaro
- Lucia Longo
Institutions
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT)
- Azienda Unita' Sanitaria Locale Di Modena (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena (IT)
- Sudan Academy of Sciences (SD)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Published
- 2026-01-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27021096
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 41.10