DIFFERENTIAL POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION ASSAY OF CYCLIN D1 GENE AMPLIFICATION IN ESOPHAGEAL-CARCINOMA

The cyclin D1 gene, located on chromosome 11q13, is frequently rearran ged in parathyroid neoplasms and amplified in some carcinomas of other organs. Recent studies have detected amplification of cyclin D1 and o ther markers on chromosome 11q13 (evaluated by Southern or slot blot a ssays) in similar to 25-50% of squamous cell carcinomas of the esophag us and noted that amplification was associated with lessened survival time. We applied the technique of differential polymerase chain reacti on to the evaluation of cyclin D1 gene amplification in squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus. Cyclin D1 was found to be amplified in 10 of 45 (22%) primary tumors and three of 12 (25%) lymph node metastase s. Lymph node metastases tended to be more common in patients with cyc lin D1 amplification (70%) than in those without amplification (37%). In 36 patients with follow-up, cyclin D1 amplification was associated with decreased 1 year survival (28% vs. 59%). Cyclin D1 gene amplifica tion in esophageal carcinomas can be evaluated by differential polymer ase chain reaction and may provide useful prognostic information.