In search of this transformation mechanism in human cancer cells, we identified breast and ovarian tumor lines with upregulation of the uncomplexed transcriptionally active form of beta-catenin without mutations afflicting downstream components.
In addition, we have determined that the cadherin-associated protein, known as beta-catenin, is expressed in normal peritoneum, ovarian tumors and malignant cell effusions obtained from women with Stage I or Stage II cancer.
A recent report describing the presence of beta-catenin mutations in endometrioid ovarian cancer suggested that the TCF/beta-catenin pathway may be generally activated in ovarian cancer.