title: Prognostic significance of syndecan-1 expression in cervical cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Syndecans are reported to have variable expression in several solid tumors and blood cancers. The cause provoking altered expression of syndecans is not known to date. We studied copy number status of syndecan-1 (SDC1) and significance of SDC1 gene product (syndecan-1, SDC1) expression in cervical cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using 121 cases of cervical cancer tissues, we screened SDC1 expression pattern using immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the relationship between SDC1 expression and clinicopathological parameters. To find possible causes of the expression change, we exploited interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization to screen copy number alteration of SDC1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 121 cases, 101 (83.5%) were positive and 20 (16.4%) were negative for SDC1. Among the parameters, age, histological type, and grade were significantly associated with SDC1 expression (p<0.05). Strong SDC1 expression in the cytoplasm showed better patient survival (p=0.02). In multivariate regression model, grade and SDC1 expression were independent prognostic factors (p<0.05). SDC1 in cervical cancers did not show copy number alteration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strong SDC1 expression in the cytoplasm of tumor cells predicts better patient survival. The change of SDC1 expression in cervical cancers is not caused by copy number alteration of the gene.
authors: Department of Pathology, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yu Im
authors: YI
authors: Kim
authors: Ahwon
authors: A
authors: Lee
authors: Bum Hee
authors: BH
authors: Lee
authors: Su Young
authors: SY
authors: Kim