Comparative analysis of cell cycle parameters in primary and recurrent soft tissue sarcomas.

Abstract

e22538 Background: The purpose of the study was to determine DNA content and distribution of cells in cell cycle phases by flow cytometry in patients with primary and recurrent soft tissue sarcomas. Methods: 60 patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS) were recruited: 30 with primary tumors and 30 with recurrent ones. Mean age of patients with primary STS was 56±5.4 years, with recurrent STS – 55±6.7 years. DNA content was determined using the BD Facs Cantoo II flow cytometer with CycleTEST PLUS DNA Reagent Kit (Becton Dickinson). The data were processed using ModFit LT program. Results: Comparative analysis of the cell cycle kinetics showed an increase in the percentage of cells in G2+M phase by 2 times in diploid and by 2.1 times in aneuploid recurrent tumors in comparison with primary ones (1.8±0.5% vs. 0.9±0.1% for diploid tumors; 5.4±2.2% vs. 2.6±0.7% for aneuploid tumors). An increase in the percentage of aneuploid tumors was found in recurrent G2 and G3 tumors (from 50% in primary to 66.7% in recurrent G2 tumors and from 63.25% in primary to 85% in recurrent G3 tumors). Mean content of aneuploid cells in recurrent G2 tumors was 2.2 times higher (p≤0.05), while the differences in primary and recurrent G3 tumors were not significant. The percentage of aneuploid tumors depended on the disease stage and increased in stages IIb and III in recurrent tumors, compared to primary ones (from 37.5% to 71.4% in recurrent st. IIb; and from 65% in primary st. III to 72.7% in recurrences) (p≤0.05). Conclusions: DNA analysis by flow cytometry demonstrated a high biologic potential of both primary and recurrent tumors. Some values in the mitotic cycle in recurrent tumors were probably associated with adjuvant therapy, as well as influenced by the coefficient of two parameters – the percentage of cells in G2+M phase and the cell loss factor determining a high malignant potential of these tumors.