RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Loss of histone variant macroH2A2 expression associates with progression of anal neoplasm
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 627
OP 631
DO 10.1136/jclinpath-2015-203367
VO 69
IS 7
A1 Hu, Wan-Hsiang
A1 Miyai, Katsumi
A1 Sporn, Judith C
A1 Luo, Linda
A1 Wang, Jean Y J
A1 Cosman, Bard
A1 Ramamoorthy, Sonia
YR 2016
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/69/7/627.abstract
AB Aims The macroH2A histone variants are epigenetic marks for inactivated chromatin. In this study, we examined the expression of macroH2A2 in anal neoplasm from anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) to anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).Methods AIN and anal SCC samples were analysed for macroH2A2 expression, HIV and human papilloma virus (HPV). The association of macroH2A2 expression with clinical grade, disease recurrence, overall survival and viral involvement was determined.Results macroH2A2 was expressed in normal squamous tissue and lower grade AIN (I and II). Expression was lost in 38% of high-grade AIN (III) and 71% of anal SCC (p=0.002). Patients with AIN with macroH2A2-negative lesions showed earlier recurrence than those with macroH2A2-positive neoplasm (p=0.017). With anal SCC, macroH2A2 loss was more prevalent in the HPV-negative tumours.Conclusions Loss of histone variant macroH2A2 expression is associated with the progression of anal neoplasm and can be used as a prognostic biomarker for high-grade AIN and SCC.