DNA aneuploidy is associated with increased mortality for stage I endometrial cancer

The Value of DNA Quantitative Cytology Test for the Screening of Endometrial Cancer

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of DNA quantitative cytology test for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer or precancerous lesions and then discuss the value of DNA quantitative cytology as a screening tool for endometrial cancer.

Methods

The study enrolled 575 patients from September 2013 to January 2017 in Shanghai Minhang Central Hospital. Endometrial hysteroscopy plus dilation and curettage and DNA quantitative cytology tests were conducted as a method for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of this method were calculated according to histopathologic diagnoses which were used as the gold standard for diagnosis confirmation.

Results

For the DNA quantitative cytology diagnosis of endometrial cancer, accuracy was estimated at 85.57%, sensitivity at 87.01%, specificity at 85.34%, positive predictive value (PPV) at 47.86%, and negative predictive value (NPV) at 97.07%. For the DNA quantitative cytology diagnosis of endometrial cancer in menopausal patients: accuracy was estimated at 89.95%, sensitivity at 97.73%, specificity at 87.59%, positive predictive value (PPV) at 70.49%, negative predictive value (NPV) at 99.22%. For the DNA quantitative cytology diagnosis of endometrial cancer in non-menopausal patients, accuracy was estimated at 83.42%, sensitivity at 72.73%, specificity at 84.42%, positive predictive value (PPV) at 30.38%, and negative predictive value (NPV) at 97.07%.

Conclusion

DNA heteroploidy can be tested for the occurrence and the development of endometrial cancer. A small number of non-endometrial cancer cases may also appear DNA heteroploidy, but the number of >5c cells is less than 3. DNA quantitative analysis is a useful tool for the screening of endometrial cancer, worthy of being popularized and applied in endometrial cancer diagnosis.

Cell proliferation, measured as flow cytometric S-phase fraction, is a strong prognostic indicator in FIGO stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma: a population-based study

INTRODUCTION

In early-stage endometrial carcinoma, there is controversy regarding the prognostic value of the flow cytometric variables DNA ploidy (diploid vs. aneuploid) and S-phase fraction. In Sweden, the former is included in national guidelines despite poor scientific support and the latter is not used clinically. This study investigates the prognostic properties of these variables, together with classical histopathological variables, in multivariate analysis in a stringently stratified material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Consecutive, population-based patient material restricted to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (n = 1140) was retrospectively collected from routinely reported data from medical records. Data on age, FIGO stage, degree of differentiation, S-phase fraction, DNA ploidy status, and adjuvant treatment were included in the study. Cumulative incidence curves with other causes of death as a competing risk were used for univariable analysis for the primary endpoint endometrial cancer death. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used for multivariate modeling of all endpoints, and for univariable analysis for the secondary endpoints overall survival and time to progression.

RESULTS

An S-phase fraction value of >5.5% was associated with worse outcome (for endometrial cancer death: hazard ratio 2.25; 95% CI 1.38-3.67; p = 0.001, adjusted) and DNA ploidy status was not, for all endpoints tested.

CONCLUSIONS

In FIGO stage I endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, DNA ploidy status had no prognostic value, whereas the S-phase fraction may be used to identify those with a higher risk of adverse clinical outcome.

Clinical value of DNA content assessment in endometrial cancer

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common gynecologic cancer in industrialized countries. Traditional prognostic markers include FIGO stage, histologic subtype, and histologic grade. DNA ploidy was introduced as a prognostic marker 30 years ago, and the majority of published literature demonstrates significant associations between tumor aneuploidy and poorer prognosis in EC. However, ploidy analysis is not routinely implemented in the clinic. We reviewed the literature on clinical value of ploidy measured by DNA content as a prognostic marker, and its potential role as a predictive marker in EC.  PubMed was searched for papers evaluating the prognostic or predictive role of ploidy in EC. Search criteria were "DNA ploidy prognosis/predictive value endometrial cancer/carcinoma". Only articles written in English, published year 2000 or later were included.  The majority of the studies demonstrated highly significant correlation between DNA index (DI) and survival, in univariate analysis including stages I-IV, and in subgroup analysis of stage I and stage I-II EC. Several studies also showed significant association between DI and survival in multivariate analysis. Few studies have evaluated DI as a prognostic marker in a prospective setting. No studies evaluating DI as a predictive marker in EC were identified. In other cancer types, ploidy has been linked to prediction of response to hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.  Ploidy assessment in EC by DI is a strong prognostic marker. Still, its clinical applicability needs validation in a routine diagnostic, prospective setting with sufficient number of patients, characterized by state of the art histopathological evaluation and surgical staging.

Prognostic importance of DNA ploidy and DNA index in stage I and II endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the prognostic importance of DNA ploidy in stage I and II endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) of the endometrium with a focus on DNA index.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

High-resolution DNA ploidy analysis was carried out in tumor material from 937 consecutive patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I and II EAC of the endometrium.

RESULTS

Patients with diploid (N = 728), aneuploid tumor with DNA index ≤ 1.20 (N = 118), aneuploid tumors with DNA index >1.20 (N = 39) and tetraploid tumor (N = 52) had 5-year recurrence rates 8%, 14%, 20% and 12%, respectively. Patients with aneuploid tumor with DNA index >1.20 had a poorer 5-year progression-free survival (67%) and overall survival (72%) compared with the patients with aneuploid tumor with DNA index ≤ 1.20 (81% and 89%, respectively). Aneuploid tumors with DNA index ≤ 1.20 relapsed mainly in the vagina and pelvis, whereas aneuploid tumors with DNA index >1.20 relapsed predominantly outside pelvis.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence risk for the patients with aneuploid tumor is higher than the patients with diploid tumor in EAC of the endometrium. Based on DNA index with cut-off 1.20, aneuploid tumors can be separated into two subgroups with different recurrence pattern and survival.

Genomic imbalances in endometrial adenocarcinomas - comparison of DNA ploidy, karyotyping and comparative genomic hybridization

DNA ploidy analysis is useful for prognostication in cancer patients, but the genomic details underlying ploidy changes are not fully understood. To improve this understanding, we compared DNA ploidy status with karyotypic and comparative genomic hybridization data on 51 endometrial adenocarcinomas. Out of 34 DNA diploid tumors evaluated by CGH, 16 (47%) showed imbalances, though only two had more than four copy number changes. Ten (29%) had aberrations involving chromosome 1, seven (21%) involving chromosome 10, while one tumor had a chromosome 8 aberration. Four of the seven DNA tetraploid tumors (57%) had imbalances detected by CGH with two (29%) having more than four. Six out of eight DNA aneuploid tumors showed imbalances by CGH, with five (63%) having more than four. The aberrations were observed on chromosomes 1 and 8 in five/eight (63%) cases while four imbalances (50%) involved chromosomes 5, 7 and X. Not surprisingly, we observed a significant correlation between increasing DNA ploidy complexity and increasing number of copy alterations. Gains of material from chromosomes 8 and 7 might be specifically correlated to DNA aneuploidy in endometrial adenocarcinomas since 63% and 50% of the aneuploid compared to 3% of the diploid tumors showed imbalances involving these chromosomes.

Ploidy and S-phase fraction are correlated with lymphovascular space invasion that is predictive of outcomes in endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Pathological detection of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is a useful prognostic marker for patients with endometrial cancer. However, LVSI is criticized for its subjectivity and poor reproducibility. To improve the outcomes of patients with endometrial cancer, we evaluated objective parameters associated with LVSI to generate more accurate LVSI assessments and to identify patients with high-risk disease.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 137 patients with endometrial cancer. Flow cytometry was used to determine DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction. Estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR) levels and p53 and k-ras mutational status were tested.

RESULTS

LVSI was found in 36 patients (26.3%). Patients with LVSI had significantly decreased recurrence-free survival and overall survival compared to those without LVSI. Aneuploid tumors were significantly more frequent in LVSI-positive patients compared with LVSI-negative patients (odds ratio = 5.208, P < 0.001). With the exception of p53 mutational status, there was a statistically significant relationship between LVSI and other parameters tested. However, by multivariate analysis, DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction were significantly correlated with LVSI (P = 0.034 and 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Ploidy and S-phase fraction correlate with LVSI, which is a significant independent predictor of clinical outcome in patients with endometrial cancer.

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy in stage I endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To improve the outcome for patients with endometrial cancer, a more accurate prognostic assessment is needed. The current study was undertaken to determine the role of flow cytometric DNA ploidy as an independent prognostic factor in patients with stage I endometrial cancer and to verify if ploidy is able to identify high-risk cases among the apparent 'low-risk' patients, defined as stage (IA), grade (1 or 2), and histologic type (endometrioid).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study. DNA ploidy was evaluated from tumor samples in 217 patients with stage I endometrial cancer who underwent definitive surgery as the first treatment between 2003 and 2009. Ploidy and other classic parameters were analyzed in relation to the length of recurrence-free survival.

RESULTS

Among the 217 evaluated patients, 184 (84.8%) had diploid tumors and 33 (15.2%) had aneuploid tumors. There were 12 recurrences during the median follow-up intervals of 42.7 months. Stage, grade, histologic type, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and ploidy were significantly correlated with recurrence-free interval by univariate Cox analysis. Based on multivariate Cox analysis, ploidy was an independent prognostic factor, with a hazard ratio of 4.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-15.3; P=0.017) adjusted for stage, grade, histologic type, and LVSI. In low-risk patients (n=156), the recurrence rate was 2.1% for diploid tumors and 12.5% for aneuploid tumors (P=0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

DNA aneuploidy is an independent prognostic factor in patients with endometrial cancer and can identify high-risk patients among those considered 'low-risk' with stage I endometrial cancer.

DNA ploidy heterogeneity in endometrial carcinoma: comparison between curettage and hysterectomy specimens

DNA ploidy has been reported to be a prognostic marker for patients with endometrial carcinoma. In this study, DNA ploidy and histologic heterogeneity were evaluated by comparing curettage and hysterectomy specimens in 99 consecutive patients diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. High-resolution DNA ploidy image analysis and review of histologic specimens were performed. The histologic subtypes were identical in 77 (78%) and differed in 22 (22%) cases. The DNA ploidy results were concordant in the curettage and hysterectomy specimens in 72 (72.7%) and discordant in 27 (27.3%) cases. Histologic heterogeneity was significantly associated with DNA ploidy heterogeneity (P=0.03). On the basis of histologic heterogeneity, DNA ploidy-discordant cases were divided into 2 groups. One group (16.2% of cases) consisted of specimens with similar histology in curettage and hysterectomy, all belonging to the endometrioid subtype. This group showed DNA ploidy discordance because of a DNA diploid peak in 1 specimen and an aneuploid peak (DI=1.05-1.2) in the other. The other group (11.1% of cases) consisted of cases with different histologic subtype or grade and showed a more pronounced DNA ploidy difference (diploid vs. aneuploid with DI>1.2). Our results suggest that the DNA ploidy results of the hysterectomy and curettage specimens are not identical. The difference observed, which we believe reflects the intratumoral heterogeneity, should be taken into account when applying DNA ploidy to endometrial carcinoma specimens.

Deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy in endometrial carcinoma: a reproducible and valid prognostic marker in a routine diagnostic setting

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate the prognostic impact of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy in endometrial carcinoma in a routine diagnostic series as compared with a research series.

STUDY DESIGN

We studied a population-based series of 363 endometrial carcinomas prospectively collected, with long and complete follow-up. The prognostic value of DNA ploidy was investigated in a routine diagnostic series (n=262) and compared with the results from a previous research series (n=101).

RESULTS

The proportion of DNA aneuploid tumors was 21% in the research series and 25% in the routine diagnostic series (P=NS). In both series, DNA aneuploidy was significantly correlated to higher age at diagnosis, nonendometrioid subtype, and high histologic grade. Patients with DNA aneuploid tumors had significantly poorer survival, adjusted for established clinicopathologic prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

DNA ploidy estimation in endometrial carcinoma adds independent prognostic information in a routine diagnostic setting.

Aneuploidy predicts outcome in patients with endometrial carcinoma and is related to lack of CDH13 hypermethylation

PURPOSE

Many investigators have reported that aneuploidy detected by flow cytometry is a useful prognostic marker in patients with endometrial cancer. Laser scanning cytometry (LSC) is a technology similar to flow cytometry but is more feasible for clinical laboratory use. We evaluated the usefulness of DNA ploidy detected by LSC as a prognostic marker in patients with endometrial cancer and investigated genetic and epigenetic factors related to aneuploidy.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Endometrial cancer specimens from 106 patients were evaluated. The methylation status of CDH13, Rassf1, SFRP1, SFRP2, SFRP4, SFRP5, p16, hMLH1, MGMT, APC, ATM, and WIF1 and mutations in the p53 and CDC4 genes were investigated. LSC was carried out to determine DNA ploidy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was done with chromosome-specific centromeric probes to assess chromosomal instability.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that p53 mutation and lack of CDH13 hypermethylation associated positively with aneuploidy. Univariate analysis showed that aneuploidy, chromosomal instability, and lack of CDH13 hypermethylation as well as surgical stage were significantly predictive of death from endometrial cancer. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that stage in combination with either DNA aneuploidy or lack of CDH13 hypermethylation was an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that analysis of DNA ploidy and methylation status of CDH13 may help predict clinical outcome in patients with endometrial cancer. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm the validity of an individualized approach, including determination of tumor ploidy and methylation status of CDH13, to management of endometrial cancer patients.

Image cytometry DNA ploidy correlates with histological subtypes in endometrial carcinomas

Image cytometric DNA ploidy analysis of endometrial carcinomas was performed to determine whether ploidy status and ploidy-related parameters like DNA index, percentage of cells exceeding 5c and 9c, correlate with histologic subtype. This is a prospective study of 391 patients with stage I endometrial carcinoma which included 331 (85%) endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 22 (6%) serous adenocarcinoma, 7 (2%) clear cell adenocarcinoma, 2 (0.5%) small cell carcinoma, 1 (0.3%) undifferentiated carcinoma, and 28 (7%) unclassifiable adenocarcinoma. Twenty-five percent of endometrioid adenocarcinomas were non-diploid. In contrast, all clear cell adenocarcinomas and 21/22 (95%) of serous adenocarcinomas were non-diploid. Hyperdiploidy (25 cases) was found only in endometrioid adenocarcinomas. Mean DNA index of the stemline in serous adenocarcinoma (1.72) and clear cell adenocarcinoma (1.81) was higher than in endometrioid adenocarcinoma (1.1). The difference in ploidy-related parameters between endometrioid adenocarcinoma and serous adenocarcinoma was highly significant (P<0.001). In addition, Grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma showed significant difference in all ploidy-related parameters compared with grade 1 and grade 2 tumors (P<0.001). Our results show that DNA ploidy-related parameters may be valuable in subtyping histologically difficult cases of endometrial carcinomas.