Differential polymerase chain reaction assay of cyclin dl gene amplification in esophageal carcinoma

The cyclin Dl gene, located on chromosome llql3, is frequently rearranged in parathyroid neoplasms and amplified in some carcinomas of other organs. Recent studies have detected amplification of cyclin Dl and other markers on chromosome 1 lql3 (evaluated by Southern or slot blot assa\s) in -25-50fr of squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus and noted that amplification was associated with lessened survival time. We applied the technique of differentia] polymerase chain reaction to the evaluation of cyclin Dl gene amplification in squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus. Cyclin Dl was found to be amplified in 10 of 45 (22fr) primary tumors and three of 12 (25rr) lymph node metastases. Lymph node metastases tended to be more common in patients with cyclin Dl amplification (70rr) than in those without amplification <37fr). In 36 patients with follow-up. cyclin Dl amplification was associated with decreased 1 year survival (28r? vs. 59^1. Cyclin Dl gene amplification in esophageal carcinomas can be evaluated by differential polymerase chain reaction and may provide useful prognostic information.