OBJECTIVE Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Resveratrol (RSV) is known to alter metabolism in cancer. It affects the nuclear retinoid-X-receptor (RXR), which implies a modulating effect of RXR to gynaecologic cancers. Furthermore, RSV targets Sirtuin1 (Sirt1), a histone deacetylase. STUDY DESIGN 123 tissue samples of patients with serous or mucinous ovarian cancer were examined for expression of Sirt1 and RXR. Ovarian cell lines were treated with RSV and consequences on viability and apoptosis were evaluated. The influence of RSV to Sirt1 and RXR expression was analyzed by western blotting RESULTS: A correlation of nuclear Sirt1 and RXRα expression could be detected (p = 0.006). Co-expression of nuclear RXRα and cytoplasmic (p = 0.026) or nuclear (p = 0.041) Sirt1 was associated with significantly increased overall survival in advanced tumour stages. Viability was decreased in all cell lines after stimulation with resveratrol, while cell apoptosis was increased. RSV treatment led to significant lower Sirt1 expression in A2780 cells (p = 0.025) and significant increased RXR expression in cisA2780 cells (p = 0.012) CONCLUSION: In order to use RSV as medical target, studies could be developed to improve the understanding of drug resistance mechanisms and consequently improve treatment outcome.