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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).