부산대학교 도서관

Objectives The cell cycle is under strict regulation by the retinoblastoma, p53 and p27 pathways, and the disruption of these pathways is an important characteristic of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma ( DLBCL). In this study, we wanted to assess the function and prognostic significance of these pathways in DLBCL patients. Methods Tissue samples from 120 DLBCL patients treated by means of R- CHOP-type chemotherapy were stained for the cell cycle-regulating proteins p16, p21, p27 and p53, and the germinal centre ( GC) phenotype was determined according to Hans' algorithm. Based on the number of impaired cell cycle-regulating pathways a predictive score was obtained, covering three different prognostic groups: a 'favourable' group with damage in 0-1 of the studied pathways, a 'poor' group with damage in all three pathways and an 'intermediate' group comprising the rest of the patients. Results The prognosis of non- GC DLBCL patients was significantly poorer vs. GC phenotype patients ( P = 0.015). The prognostic score proved especially useful among non- GC phenotype patients, with 3-yrs relapse-free survival of 100% vs. 62.6% vs. 24.3% in the 'favourable-', 'intermediate-' and 'poor prognosis' groups, respectively ( P = 0.003). Conclusion The prognosis of non- GC DLBCL patients is progressively impaired with the accumulation of damage in different cell cycle-regulating pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]