Abnormal fragile histidine triad (FHIT) expression in advanced cervical carcinoma: A poor prognostic factor

The FHIT gene is a candidate tumor suppressor gene that has been implicated in the development of cervical carcinoma. We hypothesized that abnormal Fh it expression might be a poor prognostic factor for patients with cervical cancer. The tumors from 59 high-risk patients (stage ii-in) were evaluated for abnormal Fhit expression by immunohistochemical staining. Abnormal Fhit expression (absent or reduced) was noted in 66% of the specimens, There wa s no statistical difference with respect to stage, performance status, para -aortic node metastasis, completion of therapy, grade, race, age, and HIV s tatus between the normal and abnormal Fhit expression groups, The 3-year su rvival for patients whose tumors displayed normal Fhit expression versus ab normal Fhit expression was 74% versus 37%, respectively, Univariate analysi s demonstrated a difference in survival that was statistically significant for age < 55 years versus greater than or equal to 55 years (P = 0.015), no rmal Fhit expression versus abnormal Fhit expression (P = 0.015), and stage II versus stage III (P = 0.033), Multivariate analysis showed that abnorma l Fhit expression was a poor prognostic factor (P = 0.015).