Cyclins D1 and E play important roles in the progression of cell through G1 phase of the cell cycle. Amplification and/or overexpression of the cyclin D1 gene and aberrant expression of cyclin E has been described in various forms of human cancer. However, the role of cyclins D1 and E in endometrial cancer has been poorly defined.

We examined the expression of cyclins D1 and E by Northern blot technique in 33 endometrial carcinoma specimens and 9 control endometrial tissues. In addition, expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) was studied by enzyme immunoassay to explore the relationship between cyclins D1 and E and endometrial cancer.

We found that cyclin D1 expression showed down-regulated expression in endometrial cancer. Underexpression of cyclin D1 inversely related with ER positivity. However, cyclin E expression was increased in ER positive cancer group. Other clinicopathological prognostic factors were not correlated with cyclins D1 and E expression.

Further study based on larger numbers of cases with correlation of cyclins D1 and E status and survival data will be needed to elucidate the use of cyclin expressions as prognostic factor.