Impact of oxygenation status and patient age on DNA content in cancers of the uterine cervix.
OBJECTIVE
In carcinomas of the uterine cervix, the tumor oxygenation status has been shown to be a prognostic indicator that is independent of treatment modality. In vitro studies suggest gene amplification and polyploidization to be among the major consequences of hypoxia (with or without consecutive reoxygenation) and to be associated with treatment resistance and tumor progression. This study analyzed whether hypoxia alters net DNA content in uterine cervix cancer cells to the extent that it is identifiable by DNA image cytometry.


METHODS
In 64 patients with primary cervical cancer, tumor oxygenation was assessed polarographically and correlated with cell DNA content (DNA image cytometry) in areas adjacent to the oxygen microsensor tracks in which oxygenation measurements were made.


RESULTS
No correlation between DNA content (stemline position, Auer classification, and 2c deviation index) and oxygenation status was observed. However, an association between DNA content and patient age and menopausal status was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Using DNA cytometry, hypoxia-associated genomic changes in uterine cervix cancer cells could not be detected. The impact of tumor hypoxia on the genome may be masked by the effects of alternative mechanisms of genomic instability that can also influence DNA content.
Mayer
Arnulf
A
Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. arnmayer@uni-mainz.de
Höckel
Michael
M
Thews
Oliver
O
Schlenger
Karlheinz
K
Vaupel
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011003:Ploidies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D010100:Oxygen