Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of CCND3 gene as marker of progression in bladder carcinoma

Letter to the Editor.-- et al.The aim of this study was to assess patterns of CCND3 gene amplification in bladder cancer and correlate gene status with recurrence-free and progression-free survival. A sequential cohort series of 102 primary bladder tumor samples in which there was enough tissue material to assess CCND3 gene status by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was the study group. CCND3 gene FISH amplification present in 31.4% of bladder carcinomas, was related to tumor progression (p=0.021) and lower time to progression (mean±SD; 25.75±15.25 months) as compared to 33.29±11.0 months in the CCND3 not amplified group (p=0.05). By immunohistochemistry, Cyclin D3 labeling index was higher in the CCND3 amplified group (mean±SD, 76.69±27.51) than in not amplified (mean±SD, 21.57±7.02) (p<0.0001). The univariate survival analysis showed CCND3 gene amplification to be associated to a shorter progression-free survival (p=0.020) together with WHO histological grade (p=0.001) and pT stage category (p<0.0001). Cox's regression analysis selected CCND3 amplification as an independent predictor of progression-free survival (p=0.030, RR3.561, 95% CI 1.128-11.236) together with pT category (p