c-kit overexpression in neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Purpose of investigation: Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (NESCC) grows aggressively, and is resistant to anticancer agents and radiation, having an extremely poor prognosis. The incidence of c-kit proto-oncogene overexpression is high in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and small cell lung cancer, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been used effectively to treat GISTs. Few studies have investigated whether c-kit is overexpressed in NESCC. To investigate whether NESCC can be a target for molecular targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, we examined the expression of c-kit in this tumor.

Methods: Twenty-one NESCCs were examined for c-kit expression by immunohistochemical staining using the labeled streptavidin-biotin complex (LSAB) method. The expression of c-kit was regarded as positive (overexpression) and negative when the membrane and cytoplasm of more or less than 25%, respectively, of tumor cells were stained.

Results: Nine NESCCs (43%) were c-kit-positive (overexpression). No difference in age or clinical stage was noted. No difference in prognosis was observed between the c-kit-positive and -negative patients.

Conclusion: The incidence of c-kit overexpression was high in NESCC; therefore, the patients with this tumor may become a future target for molecular-targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

c-kit; Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma; Uterine cervix

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