Immunoreactivity for p27 KIP1 and cyclin E is an independent predictor of survival in primary gastric non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma

Our aim was to assess the prognostic implications of the expression of p27 KIP1 and cyclin E in gastric lymphoma. We investigated the prognostic value of the immunoreactivity of these molecules in 92 cases of primary gastric lymphoma: 34 LGMLs, 24 DLCLMLs and 34 DLCLs. p27 was positive in 88% of LGMLs, 71% of DLCLMLs and 32% of DLCLs ( p = 0.004); cyclin E was positive in 9%, 33% and 59% of cases, respectively ( p < 0.00001). p27/cyclin E immunoreactivity significantly correlated with histologic category, stage and LDH serum level. p27 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with better survival, whereas cyclin E reactivity was significantly related to worse outcome. Five‐year CSS was 94% for patients with p27 + /cyclin E – phenotype ( n = 42), 79% for p27 + /cyclin E + ( n = 14) or p27 – /cyclin E – ( n = 16) phenotype and 60% for p27 – /cyclin E + phenotype ( n = 16) ( p = 0.02). The prognostic role of p27/cyclin E expression was confirmed when analyzed separately within LGMLs and large‐cell lymphomas. Immunoreactivity for p27 and cyclin E is an independent predictor of survival in PGLs that may be an adjunctive tool in identifying high‐risk patients. It correlates with histologic category, stage and LDH serum level. p27 – /cyclin E + phenotype is associated with worse survival, probably due to a synergistic effect of both cell‐cycle defects. The predictive role of these molecules within each histologic group of PGLs deserves to be confirmed in larger series. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.