AUTHOR=Huang Jie , Wang Xiang , Zhang Xue , Chen Weijie , Luan Lijuan , Song Qi , Wang Hao , Liu Jia , Xu Lei , Xu Yifan , Shen Licheng , Tan Lijie , Jiang Dongxian , Su Jieakesu , Hou Yingyong 

TITLE=CDK4 Amplification in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated With Better Patient Outcome

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.616110

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2021.616110

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinical and prognostic values of <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification and improve the risk stratification in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification was analyzed by fluorescence <italic>in situ</italic> hybridization using tissue microarray consisting of representative tissues of 520 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and its correlation with clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes were evaluated. <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification was found in 8.5% (44/520) of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification was negatively correlated with disease progression (<italic>P</italic> = 0.003) and death (<italic>P</italic> = 0.006). Patients with <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification showed a significantly better disease-free survival (<italic>P</italic> = 0.016) and overall survival (<italic>P</italic> = 0.023) compared with those patients without <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification. When patients were further stratified into I–II stage groups and III–IV stage groups, <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification was significantly associated with both better disease-free survival (<italic>P</italic> = 0.023) and overall survival (<italic>P</italic> = 0.025) in the I–II stage group rather than the III–IV stage group. On univariate and multivariate analysis, invasive depth and <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification were associated with disease-free survival and overall survival. Taken together, <italic>CDK4</italic> amplification was identified as an independent prognostic factor for survival, which could be incorporated into the tumor–node–metastasis staging system to refine risk stratification of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.</p>