Increased cyclin D1 in human pancreatic cancer is associated with decreased postoperative survival

Oncology. 1998 Jul-Aug;55(4):363-9. doi: 10.1159/000011879.

Abstract

Cyclin D 1 belongs to a family of protein kinases that have been implicated in cell cycle regulation. In the present study we characterized cyclin D1 expression in 6 cultured human pancreatic cancer cell lines and in normal and cancerous human pancreatic tissues. A 4.4-kb cyclin D1 mRNA transcript was present in all cell lines and in all pancreatic tissues. Cyclin D1 mRNA levels were 2.1-fold higher in the pancreatic cancers than in normal pancreatic tissues (p < 0.0002). Cancer patients with lower cyclin D1 levels (n=16) had a median survival of 15.5 months whereas patients with higher levels (n=16) had a median survival of 6.5 months (p < 0.007). These data indicate that cyclin D1 expression may serve as a predictor of postoperative survival in pancreatic cancer patients, and raise the possibility that treatment modalities blocking cyclin D1 activity may have a future role in the therapy of these patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Cyclin D1 / analysis*
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • Cyclin D1