title: RAR-beta expression is associated with early volumetric changes to radiation therapy in cervical cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To identify a molecular marker associated with volumetric changes to radiotherapy (RT) in cervical cancer, we compared gene expression profiles of an early response (ER) group with a late response (LR) group, which are defined by complete and partial disappearance of a primary cervical lesion on MRI performed 1 month after completion of RT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microarray analysis of mRNA expression profiles was performed in 17 patients (11 in the ER and 6 in the LR group). After selection of the genes with significant differential expression, we evaluated the association of the selected genes with radioresistance in clinical specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 53 genes with differential expression on microarray analysis using the permutation test with t statistics (p ≤ 0.01). Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the expression of RAR-β, one of the genes selected among the differentially expressed genes. RAR-β expression was significantly down-regulated in the LR group compared with the ER group (p = 0.02). However, this gene did not predict permanent radioresistance (p = 0.19).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RAR-β expression might be a valuable marker for the prediction of early volumetric changes to RT in cervical carcinomas. Further search for additional genes associated with early volumetric changes and radioresistance may aid in refining individual treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo Young
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young-Ae
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jung-Joo
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang Ohk
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Sang Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Chel Hun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Tae-Joong
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Byoung-Gie
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Duk-Soo
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; C082925:retinoic acid receptor beta