High Smac/DIABLO expression is associated with early local recurrence of cervical cancer.
BACKGROUND
In a recent pilot report, we showed that Smac/DIABLO mRNA is expressed de novo in a subset of cervical cancer patients. We have now expanded this study and analyzed Smac/DIABLO expression in the primary lesions in 109 cervical cancer patients.


METHODS
We used immunohistochemistry of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections to analyze Smac/DIABLO expression in the 109 primary lesions. Seventy-eight samples corresponded to epidermoid cervical cancer and 31 to cervical adenocarcinoma. The median follow up was 46.86 months (range 10-186).


RESULTS
Smac/DIABLO was expressed in more adenocarcinoma samples than squamous tumours (71% vs 50%; p = 0.037). Among the pathological variables, a positive correlation was found between Smac/DIABLO immunoreactivity and microvascular density, a marker for angiogenesis (p = 0.04). Most importantly, Smac/DIABLO immunoreactivity was associated with a higher rate of local recurrence in squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.002, log rank test). No association was found between Smac/DIABLO and survival rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Smac/DIABLO expression is a potential marker for local recurrence in cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients.
Arellano-Llamas
Abril
A
Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av, San Fernando # 22, Tlalpan 14080 México City, Mexico. abrilarellano@gmail.com <abrilarellano@gmail.com>
Garcia
Francisco J
FJ
Perez
Delia
D
Cantu
David
D
Espinosa
Magali
M
De la Garza
Jaime G
JG
Maldonado
Vilma
V
Melendez-Zajgla
Jorge
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008875:Middle Aged; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C412403:DIABLO protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins