Expression of cyclin A, cyclin E and p27 in normal, hyperplastic and frankly malignant endometrial samples

Abstract

Cellular growth is under the control of certain molecules such as cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases. Dysregulation of these proteins disrupt cell cycle and may trigger malignant transformation. Cyclins and kinase inhibitors also play essential roles in endometrial cellular proliferation. But the exact roles of these mediators in the disease process is not clear. We evaluated expression of cyclin A, cyclin E and p27 in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrial samples assuming different expression patterns in physiological and pathological processes. A total of 75 patients with histopathological diagnosis of normal proliferative, hyperplastic or malignant endometrial samples were evaluated with different cellular proliferation markers, cyclin A, cyclin E and p27. For cyclin E, endometrial cancer samples had higher rate of immunoreactivity than normal proliferative and hyperplastic endometrial samples. Staining properties for cyclin A were comparable for three groups. However, p27 immunoreactivity decreased progressively as lesions progress from proliferative benign endometrium to frank carcinoma. Further large-scale studies with clinical follow-up will reveal the exact role of cyclins on endometrial carcinogenesis.