Abstract
Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the levels of plasma exosomal caveolin-1(CAV1) and determine its prognostic value in ovarian cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Exosome-rich fractions were isolated from the plasma of 155 patients with ovarian cancer. TEM, NTA and western blot analysis were used to confirm the exosome integrity and purification. Results: Compared with healthy controls, plasma exosomal CAV1 levels in ovarian cancer patient were significantly down-regulated (P < 0.001). The low plasma levels of exosomal CAV1 in ovarian cancer patient plasma were related to FIGO stages, grades and lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.01). Among all ovarian cancer patients, DFS was worse in patients who had low plasma exosomal CAV1 levels compared with that in patients with high plasma exosomal CAV1 levels (P < 0.001). The OS of patients with low plasma exosomal CAV1 levels was shorter than that in patients with high plasma exosomal CAV1 levels (P < 0.001). The AUROC of plasma exosomal CAV1 was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.68-0.82) for DFS prediction in ovarian cancer patients, with a sensitivity 52.9 (95% CI: 42.8-62.9) and a specificity 88.7 (95% CI: 77.0-95.7). For OS prediction in ovarian cancer patients, the AUROC of plasma exosomal CAV1 was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70-0.84), with a sensitivity 65.1 (95% CI: 49.1-79.0) and a specificity 81.2 (95% CI: 72.8-88.0). Conclusions: Low exosomal CAV1 levels were closely related to the FIGO stages I/II, low grade, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients. Plasma exosomal CAV1 may be a potential biomarker for the prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.