Abnormal fragile histidine triad expression in advanced cervical cancer and evaluation of its utility as a prognostic factor

Objective: The relationship between the abnormal expression of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) and the prognosis in advanced cervical cancer was investigated, focusing on the relation with radiosensitivity. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 54 patients with stage IIIb cervical squamous cell carcinoma who received radiation therapy as the initial treatment. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were immunohistochemically stained using anti-FHIT antibody. The survival curve for patients with abnormal FHIT expression (low expression) was prepared and the prognosis was compared with that for the normal expression group. The decrease rate of the serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) levels (SCC index = SCC level after radiotherapy/SCC level before radiotherapy) was calculated. Results: Abnormal FHIT expression was observed in 25 patients (46%). There were no significant differences in clinical backgrounds between the abnormal and normal FHIT expression groups. The 5-year survival rate was 72% in the abnormal expression group, showing no significant difference from that in the normal expression group (64%). The SCC indices were 0.21 +/- 0.14 and 0.29 +/- 0.19 in the abnormal and normal expression groups, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Abnormal FHIT expression was not correlated with radiosensitivity in patients with stage IIIb cervical cancer, showing that abnormal FHIT expression cannot be used as a prognostic factor. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.