AgNORs as an early marker of sensitivity to radiotherapy in gynecologic cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the changes induced in silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) by the first fraction of a radiotherapy protocol for gynecologic cancer on exfoliated cytologic samples to predict the therapeutic success of the full protocol.


METHODS
Thirteen gynecologic cancer patients who were scheduled for radiotherapy were included in the study. Cell smears were taken from the affected area before and after the first fraction of a radiotherapy protocol and silver stained for AgNORs. AgNORs per nucleus were counted under a light microscope. Local disease control by the full radiotherapy protocol was assessed at one year by the Papanicolaou technique.


RESULTS
Local success of radiotherapy was greater for lesions with higher pretreatment AgNOR counts and for lesions that underwent a greater percentage reduction in AgNOR counts after the first fraction. We correlated local success of the full radiotherapy protocol with a predictive index based on AgNOR counts obtained before and after the first fraction.


CONCLUSIONS
A predictive index based on AgNOR counts can predict, as early as after the first fraction, the local control of disease by a full radiotherapy protocol. Knowledge of the probability of success long before the protocol is completed would allow reevaluation of therapeutic options.
Heber
Elisa
E
Department of Radiobiology, National Atomic Energy Commission, Avenida del Libertador 8250 (1429), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Schwint
Amanda E
AE
Sartor
Beatriz
B
Nishihama
Susana
S
Sánchez
Osvaldo
O
Brosto
Miguel
M
Itoiz
María Elina
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000473:pathology*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016622:Silver Staining; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor