Expression of cyclin E in gynecologic malignancies

Objective. This study investigated the patterns of expression of cyclin E in clear cell carcinoma and other gynecological cancers. Methods, Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin-embedded archival specimens of ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and renal carcinomas. Results. Expression of cyclin E was evident in epithelial ovarian carcinomas utilizing immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry revealed a high level of expression of cyclin E in a subset of gynecologic carcinomas, namely clear cell carcinomas, but not in clear cell carcinomas of renal origin. Conclusion. These data suggest that an elevated level of immunohistochemical activity of cyclin E is a property of clear cell carcinomas of Mullerian origin. Immunohistochemistry with anti-cyclin E antibodies may serve as a useful method for diagnosing gynecologic clear cell carcinomas. Future studies are needed to confirm a possible increased activity of cyclin E in clear cell tumors. (C) 1999 Academic Press.