title: Altered expression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 genes in ovarian carcinomas.
abstract: We analyzed the expression and amplification of cyclin D1 and CDK4 genes in ovarian carcinomas. Northern blot analysis revealed overexpression of cyclin D1 in 12 of 65 (18%) ovarian carcinomas while CDK4 was overexpressed in 7 of 48 cases (14%). None of the tumors showed amplification of any of the 2 genes. Overexpression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 transcripts was correlated, suggesting a role of both genes in altered growth control of ovarian cancer cells. Elevated levels of cyclin D1 were significantly associated with a well-moderately differentiated grade (G1-G2) (p < 0.005). No significant association was found between cyclin D1 expression and estrogen receptor, progesterone and epidermal growth factor receptor content. Cyclin D1 expression does not appear to be associated with clinical outcome in human ovarian cancer, although a longer follow-up period and screening of other molecules involved in the same pathway would be necessary to assess this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Anti-neoplastic Pharmacology, Zeneca Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Masciullo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scambia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marone
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannitelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrandina
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bellacosa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Benedetti Panici
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancuso
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D019938:Cyclin D1; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016213:Cyclins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016213:Cyclins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D019938:Cyclin D1; D066246:ErbB Receptors; C495900:CDK4 protein, human; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases