Macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the hypothesis that ovarian cancer patients have significantly higher levels of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). STUDY DESIGN: MIF levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) in epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines and immortalized normal ovarian surface epithelial cells and in serum of ovarian cancer patients (n = 54) and age-matched healthy women (n = 60). To determine the impact of Toll-like receptor-4 ligation on MIF levels, cells were treated for 48 hours with lipopolysaccharide. RESULTS: Cancer cells, but not normal cells, secrete significant amounts of MIF. This correlates in vivo, where serum MIF levels are significantly higher in ovarian cancer patients. Treatment of cancer cells with lipopolysaccharide induced a significant increase in MIF secretion. CONCLUSION: MIF may be relevant in the process of ovarian cancer formation and progression. The events leading to the induction of MIF expression and its contribution to ovarian cancer progression may open new venues for targeted therapy.