Expression of cyclin genes in human gastric cancer and in first degree relatives

Objective To clarify the role of these cyclins in human gastric cancer.Methods 38 gastric cancer patients, 29 first degree relatives of gastric cancer patients , as well as 18 healthy subjects were included. The mRNA expression of cyclins D1, D2, D3 and E in gastric biopsies was evaluated by RT- PCR analysis using specific primers. Histomorphological features such as intestinal metaplasia, atrophy, H. pylori infection and severity of gastritis were determined by the updated Sydney System. Results Significant mRNA overexpression was found for cyclins D2, D3 and E compared with healthy normal specimen, but cyclin D1 expression was not different between tumor and normal tissues. In addition, cyclin D2 and D3 overexpression was significantly more frequent in first degree relatives than in healthy controls (P<0.05). Among the various pathological findings, the overexpression of cyclins D2 and E was associated with intestinal metaplasia, and the overexpression of cyclin D3 was associated with intestinal metaplasia as well as atrophy. The overexpression of cyclins D2 and D3 was significantly correlated with H. pylori infection. No correlation was observed between the overexpression of cyclin D1 and any pathological variables. Conclusion The overexpression of cyclins D2, D3 and E is a frequent event in patients with gastric cancer and their first degree relatives and may be an early event in gastric carcinogenesis.