This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Krivak, T. C. Articles by Birrer, M. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Krivak, T. C. Articles by Birrer, M. J.

Abnormal Fragile Histidine Triad (FHIT) Expression in Advanced Cervical Carcinoma

A Poor Prognostic Factor

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20307 [T. C. K., J. W. M., B. C., G. S. R., J. W. C.]; Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. 20307 [J. S., P. J. M.]; and Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, Division of Clinical Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland 20850-3300 [D. V., M. J. B.]

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