Expression of cyclin A in soft tissue sarcomas correlates with tumor aggressiveness

Cancer Res. 1999 Jun 15;59(12):2885-90.

Abstract

Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases regulate the cell cycle. Cyclin A has a dual role in cell proliferation. It is essential in the S phase for DNA replication, and it is also involved in G2-M-phase transition, signifying actively dividing cells. The expression of cyclin A was determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin sections of 126 soft tissue sarcomas. The median cyclin A score was 10.8% (range, 1-54%). Cyclin A expression correlated with the S-phase fraction, Ki-67 score, G2-M phase, and grade. It did not correlate with the size of the tumor. A high cyclin A score predicted a poor metastasis-free survival (P < 0.01) and a poor disease-specific overall survival (P = 0.01). We concluded that the expression of cyclin A is a powerful prognostic factor in soft tissue sarcoma. Moreover, the cyclin A score determines the fraction of tumor cells in the S phase and the G2 phase, which are the most sensitive cell cycle phases for current modalities of cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cyclin A / biosynthesis*
  • Cyclin A / physiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • G2 Phase / physiology
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Prognosis
  • S Phase / physiology
  • Sarcoma / metabolism
  • Sarcoma / mortality
  • Sarcoma / pathology*
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cyclin A
  • Ki-67 Antigen