Role of SOX9 protein in ovarian carcinoma - A molecular insight

Sep 22, 2026

Ovarian carcinoma remains highly lethal, largely because most patients are diagnosed at later stages, making early detection reliant on trustworthy biomarkers. This cross-sectional molecular study evaluates the diagnostic potential of SOX9 protein by comparing SOX9 tissue levels in ovarian carcinoma patients versus non-malignant ovarian tissues and assessing links with tumor grade. Results show substantially higher SOX9 expression in malignant tissues and especially in high-grade serous carcinoma, supporting SOX9 as a relevant tumor marker candidate.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

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Background and objectives

Methods

Participants and samples

Results

Interpretation and conclusions

Keywords

Indian J Med Res 163, January 2026, pp 19-23 DOI: 10.25259/IJMR_ 1581_2025 Original Article Role of SOX9 protein in ovarian carcinoma: A molecular insight Ramoju Harshitha,1 Lajya Devi Goyal,2 Monica Kakkar, 1 Himanshu Sharma1 & Gitanjali Goyal1 Departments of 1Biochemistry, and 2Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bathinda, Punjab, India Received June 19, 2025; Accepted November 21, 2025; Published February 28, 2026 Background and objectives: Ovarian carcinoma is one of the most lethal carcinomas among females. Its high prevalence and shorter 5-year survival rate is due to the fact that most of the cases are diagnosed at later stages. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis through reliable biomarkers. We studied the diagnostic role of SOX9 protein in ovarian carcinoma and its diagnostic ability. The primary objective was to compare the level and clinical relevance of SOX9 protein in the tissues of patients with ovarian carcinoma with nonmalignant ovarian tissues. Methods: Tissue levels of SOX9 protein were estimated in the study and control groups (60 each group) . SOX9 levels were compared between the study vs. control groups and also between high grade and low-grade ovarian cancer. SK-OV3 ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line was used as supportive evidence to prove the presence of SOX9 in malignant ovarian cells. Results: Levels of SOX 9 protein (3.9±2.7 ng/mL) were high in tissue of ovarian cancer patients when compared to non-malignant (1.5±1.1 ng/mL) ovarian tissues. Higher levels of SOX 9 protein were found in tissues of ovarian cancer patients when compared to non-malignant ovarian tissues. The mean of SOX 9 levels in tissues of high-grade serous carcinoma was 3.5±2.5 ng/mL as compared to 1.0±0.9 ng/mL in low-grade serous carcinoma. Interpretation and conclusions: SOX9 appears to be an important player in the molecular tumourigenesis of ovarian cancer, particularly in high grade tumours. Keywords Malignant; Ovarian cancer; SOX9; Tissue lysate; Tumour marker Ovarian carcinoma is sixth most common cancer affecting women in various parts of the world, causing highest number of deaths every year than any other female genital cancers.1 Along with the detailed history and gynaecological examination, the current diagnostic technologies commonly used are tumour markers like CA 125, HE4, CA 19-9, LDH, AFP, osteopontin, mesothelin, kallikreins, and modalities like transvaginal/abdominal ultrasound, CECT, PETCT, MRI, followed by biopsy and histopathological confirmation. There are various algorithms to calculate risk of malignancy like RMI (Risk of Malignancy Index), ROMA (Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm), and IOTA (International Ovarian Tumor Analysis) .2 Among serum biomarkers, CA125 or HE4, have better specificity and sensitivity when used in combination. There is a need for novel and reliable biomarkers to improve early diagnostic technology. SOX group of transcription factors were discovered in mammals in 1990. SOX9 is a transcription factor protein which is encoded by Sox9 gene. It has a role in sexual development, cellular differentiation, regulating chemo resistance in tumour cells, functioning as a tumour suppressor in some cancers and implicated tobe an oncogene in few cancers.3-5 The objective of the present study was to investigate the expression of SOX9 protein in ovarian carcinoma tissues compared to non-malignant ovarian tissues and to explore its association with tumour grade. We also aimed to provide in vitro evidence using SK-OV3 ovarian carcinoma cell line, thereby establishing the How to cite this article: Harshitha R, Goyal LD, Kakkar M, Sharma H, Goyal G. Role of SOX9 protein in ovarian carcinoma: A molecular insight. Indian JMed Res. 2026;163:19-23 . DOI: 10.25259/IJMR_ 1581_2025. © 2026 Indian Journal of Medical Research, published by Scientific Scholar for Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research This open access publ

FAQs

Why is early diagnosis important in ovarian carcinoma?

Most cases are diagnosed at later stages, contributing to poor 5-year survival. Reliable biomarkers are needed to support earlier detection.

How was SOX9 protein measured and compared between groups?

SOX9 tissue levels were estimated in study and control groups (60 each) and compared between ovarian carcinoma and non-malignant tissues. The study also compared SOX9 levels between high-grade and low-grade ovarian cancer.

What do the results suggest about SOX9 in ovarian cancer?

SOX9 levels were higher in ovarian cancer tissues than in non-malignant ovarian tissues. Higher mean levels were observed in high-grade serous carcinoma, indicating SOX9 may play a key role in molecular tumorigenesis.

Sep 22, 2026

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