Telomerase activity in complete hydatidiform mole.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of telomerase activity in complete hydatidiform moles with subsequent development of persistent gestational trophoblastic tumor.

STUDY

DESIGN

By means of the standard telomerase repeat assay, we examined telomerase activity in 4 normal placentas, 31 complete hydatidiform moles (16 cases of uneventful regression, according to serum levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, after evacuation and 15 cases in which persistent gestational trophoblastic disease developed after evacuation), 7 invasive moles, and 5 choriocarcinoma tissue samples.

RESULTS

Telomerase activity was detected in 13 of 15 (86.7%) complete hydatidiform moles in patients who eventually underwent chemotherapy for the treatment of persistent gestational trophoblastic tumors. All 9 patients with metastatic disease (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III) had telomerase activity in the initial molar tissue sample. In contrast, telomerase activity was evident in only 3 of 16 (12.5%) complete hydatidiform moles from patients with spontaneous remission after evacuation (P <.05). Telomerase activity was detected in all 7 invasive moles and all 5 choriocarcinoma tissue samples but was not detected in normal placentas.

CONCLUSION

The presence of telomerase activity in complete hydatidiform moles is associated with the development of persistent gestational trophoblastic tumors, such as invasive moles and choriocarcinoma.