Alteration of cyclin D1 and CDK4 gene in carcinoma of uterine cervix

Amplification and overexpression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 genes in cervical ca rcinoma were studied by semi-quantitative differential polymerase chain rea ction assay and an immunostaining technique, respectively. Amplifications o f cyclin D1 and CDK4 genes were found in 24% (27/113) and 26% (29/112) of t umors, respectively. Overexpression of cyclin D1 and CDK4 was demonstrated in 32% (21/66) and 73% (45/62) of tumors, respectively. No tumor showed CDK 4 gene mutation on single strand conformational polymorphism. Sixteen perce nt (8/49) of the tumor specimens showed neither amplification nor over expr ession. Disease stage, tumor grade and overexpression of cyclin D1 were fou nd to be independent poor prognostic factors in cervical carcinoma. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.