Stromal Expression of TNF-α and Its Receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2: Association with Blood Count Parameters in Ovarian Cancer

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between immunostaining of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its receptors in the stroma of malignant ovarian neoplasm with hemogram parameters and tumor markers. Women with a confirmed diagnosis of malignant or borderline ovarian neoplasm were included ( n = 43). Age, hormonal status, histological type, histological grade, staging, type of carcinogenesis, and blood count parameters were recorded. For the immunohistochemical study, TNF-α and its receptors were evaluated in peritumoral stroma. Receiver operating characteristic curve and multivariate analysis were performed. The level of significance was <0.05. For TNF-α, there was statistical significance for basophils (cutoff value >0) and neutrophils (cutoff value ≤3,900) between strong and weak immunostaining. In relation to TNF-α receptor 1 (TNFR1), a cutoff value of monocytes >312 per mm 3 was found. Regarding TNF-α receptor 2 (TNFR2), the cutoff value of CA-125 was ≤95.16 U/mL. Still regarding TNFR2, the cutoff value for the absolute platelet count was ≤298,000 per mm 3 . Multivariate analysis showed that an absolute monocyte count >312 per mm 3 is associated with strong stromal immunostaining of TNFR1, and a platelet count ≤298,000 per mm 3 is associated with strong stromal immunostaining of TNFR2. Therefore, an absolute monocyte count >312 per mm 3 is associated with strong stromal immunostaining of TNFR1, and a platelet count ≤298,000 per mm 3 is associated with strong stromal immunostaining of TNFR2.