Expression and possible role of cyclin D3 in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Cyclin D3, one of the D type cyclins, has been known as a cell cycle modulator at the G1-S phase. In the present study, we investigated its expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma in order to elucidate its clinical role.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined cyclin D3 as well as, cyclin D1 overexpression in 60 pancreatic adenocarcinoma by means of immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Cyclin D3 overexpression was found in 33.3% (20 cases) of the cases, being more frequently seen in cases showing high Ki-67 labeling index, stage IV, moderate- or poor-differentiation, lymph node metastasis and large size and cyclin D1 overexpression. Multivariate logistic analysis independently linked cyclin D3 overexpression to tumor size (p = 0.0392) and stage (p = 0.0312). Cyclin D1 overexpression was observed in 41.7% (25 cases) and was related to Ki-67 labeling index, cyclin A overexpression, stage, carcinoma differentiation, lymph node metastasis, tumor size, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion and retropancreatic invasion. It was independently linked to carcinoma differentiation (p = 0.0081), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0426) and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.0269).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that cyclin D3, as well as cyclin D1, plays a role in the progression, including cell proliferating activity, of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.