title: DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction, and G2 fraction as prognostic determinants in human pancreatic cancer.
abstract: The DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction (SPF), and G2 fraction of pancreatic cancer tissue was measured by flow cytometry in 95 patients. Forty-nine per cent (n = 47) had a diploid DNA index, and 51% (n = 48) of tumours were aneuploid. Aneuploid tumours and high-grade tumours had significantly higher S-phase and G2-fraction values than diploid tumours or low-grade tumours. Diploid and tetraploid tumours had a more favourable prognosis than non-tetraploid aneuploid tumours (p = 0.0020) during the mean follow-up of 6 years. The type of therapy (p = 0.07), histologic grade (p = 0.06), SPF (p = 0.1), and G2 fraction (p = 0.02) had predictive value in survival analysis as well. In multivariate survival analysis, including flow-cytometric, histologic, and clinical variables, diploidy and tetraploidy had independent predictive value. The results suggest that flow cytometry might be used in grading of pancreatic cancer. Such a grading would have practical value if new modes of therapy are being developed. Forty-one per cent of multiple samples had a heterogeneous DNA index when multiple samples were used. Consequently, flow cytometric analysis of pancreatic cancer using multiple samples is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Surgery, University Hospital of Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eskelinen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lipponen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haapasalo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puittinen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alhava
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nordling
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016195:G2 Phase; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D011003:Ploidies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016196:S Phase; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm