AIM: To correlate the length of the telomere to microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of APC, MCC and DCC genes in gastric carcinomas. METHODS: Telomeric restriction fragment (TRF) length o...AIM: To correlate the length of the telomere to microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of APC, MCC and DCC genes in gastric carcinomas. METHODS: Telomeric restriction fragment (TRF) length of gastric cancer was measured with Southern blot. LOH of APC, MCC and DCC genes, microsatellite instability (MSI) and frameshift mutation of hMSH6, TGF-betaRII and BAX genes were analyzed by PCR-based methods. RESULTS: Sixty-eight cases of sporadic gastric carcinoma were studied for MSI using five microsatellite markers. MSI in at least one locus was detected in 17 (25%) of 68 tumors analyzed. Frameshift mutations of hMSH6, TGF-betaRII and BAX were detected in 2,6 and 3 of gastric carcinomas respectively showing high MSI (】 or = 2 loci, n = 8), but none was found in those showing low MSI (only one locus, n = 9) or MSS (tumor lacking MSI or stable, n = 51). Thirty-five cases, including all high MSI and low MSI, were studied for TRF. The mean TRF length was not correlated with clinicopathological parameters. No association was observed between TRF length and MSI or frameshift mutation. On the contrary, LOH at the DCC locus was related to telomere shortening (P【0.01). This tendency was also observed in APC and MCC genes, although there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The development of gastric cancer can arise through two different genetic pathways. In high MSI gastric cancers, defective mismatch repair allows mutations to accumulate and generate the high MSI phenotype. In gastric cancers showing either low MSI or MSS, multiple deletions may represent the LOH pathway. Telomere erosion is independent of high MSI phenotype but related to the LOH pathway in gastric cancer.展开更多
Early screening for colorectal cancer(CRC) holds the key to combat and control the increasing global burden of CRC morbidity and mortality. However, the current available screening modalities are severely inadequate b...Early screening for colorectal cancer(CRC) holds the key to combat and control the increasing global burden of CRC morbidity and mortality. However, the current available screening modalities are severely inadequate because of their high cost and cumbersome preparatory procedures that ultimately lead to a low participation rate. People simply do not like to have colonoscopies. It would be ideal, therefore, to develop an alternative modality based on blood biomarkers as the first line screening test. This will allow for the differentiation of the general population from high risk individuals. Colonoscopy would then become the secondary test, to further screen the high risk segment of the population. This will encourage participation and therefore help to reach the goal of early detection and thereby reduce the anticipated increasing global CRC incidence rate. A blood-based screening test is anappealing alternative as it is non-invasive and poses minimal risk to patients. It is easy to perform, can be repeated at shorter intervals, and therefore would likely lead to a much higher participation rate. This review surveys various blood-based test strategies currently under investigation, discusses the potency of what is available, and assesses how new technology may contribute to future test design.展开更多
Background As a model for both multistep and multipathway carcinogenesis, colorectal neoplastic progression provides paradigms for researching both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes （TSGs）. However, the mechanism...Background As a model for both multistep and multipathway carcinogenesis, colorectal neoplastic progression provides paradigms for researching both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes （TSGs）. However, the mechanism of colorectal cancer （CRC） is not completely understood, and many genes may be involved in the colorectal carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to screen for the potential TSGs on chromosome 1q31.1-32.1 in Chinese patients with sporadic colorectal cancer, to explore whether colorectal cancer in the Chinese population has unique genetic alterations and determine whether other putative TSGs exist and contribute to colon carcinogenesis. Methods Six polymorphic microsatellite markers, at a density of approximately one marker in every 1.6 cM, were chosen for refined loss of heterozygosity （LOH） mapping of 1q31.1-32.1. Eighty-three colorectal cancer patients＇ tumor and normal DNA were analyzed via polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for these microsatellite markers. PCR products were eletrophoresed on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer. Genescan 3.1 and Genotype 2.1 software were used for LOH scanning and analysis. On the basis of refined LOH mapping results, we undertook a microarray-based expression screening to identify tumor association genes in 19 of the CRC cases. Results The average LOH frequency of 1q31.1-32.1 was 24.41%, with the highest frequency of 36.73% （18/49） at D1S2622, and the lowest of 16.42% （11/67） at D1S412. A minimal region of frequent deletion was located within a 2 cM genomic segment at D1S413-D1S2622. There was no significant association between LOH of any marker in the studied regions and the clinicopathological data （patient sex, age, tumor size, growth pattern, or Dukes stage）. On the basis of refined mapping results, we chose 25 genes located in the D1S413-D1S2622 （1q31.3-32.1） region and presented a microarray-based high throughput screening approach in 19 sporadic CRC cases to identify candidate CRC related tumor suppressor genes. This study found 4展开更多
AIM: To investigate the prognostic value of chromosome 18q microsatellite alterations (MA) in stage Ⅱ colon cancer. METHODS: One hundred and six patients with sporadic stage Ⅱ colon cancer were enrolled in this stud...AIM: To investigate the prognostic value of chromosome 18q microsatellite alterations (MA) in stage Ⅱ colon cancer. METHODS: One hundred and six patients with sporadic stage Ⅱ colon cancer were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor and adjacent normal mucosal tissue samples. MA, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI), was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis and DNA sequencing at 5 microsatellite loci on chromosome 18q (D18S474, D18S55, D18S58, D18S61 and D18S64).RESULTS: Among the 102 patients eligible for MA information, the overall frequencies of LOH, high and low frequency MSI/microsatellite stable were 49.0%, 17.6% and 82.4%, respectively. The high frequency of 18q-LOH was signif icantly associated with the poor 5-year overall survival (OS) (P=0.008) and disease free survival (P=0.006). High levels of MSI were significantly associated with a longer 5-year OS (P=0.045) while the higher frequency of 18q-LOH at the loci of D18S474 and D18S61 was significantly associated with a poorer 5-year OS (P=0.010 and 0.005, respectively). But multivariate analysis showed that only the frequency of 18q-LOH was significantly associated with the prognosis of the disease. CONCLUSION: High frequency of 18q-LOH is an independent prognostic factor indicating poor prognosis of the patients with stage Ⅱ colon cancer.展开更多
AIM:To investigate genes around the locus D4S2964 affected by loss of heterozygosity(LOH) and their clinical implications.METHODS:Four hundred and forty single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) located at 49 genes around...AIM:To investigate genes around the locus D4S2964 affected by loss of heterozygosity(LOH) and their clinical implications.METHODS:Four hundred and forty single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) located at 49 genes around D4S2964 were selected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information website for the SNPs microarray fabrication.LOH of SNPs markers in 112 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) tissues and paired adjacent liver tissues were investigated by the SNPs microarray.The correlation between allelic losses with clinicopathological features and overall survival was analyzed.RESULTS:A f ine map of LOH of SNPs in genes around D4S2964 was plotted.The average frequency of LOH in genes was 0.39.A correlation between cirrhosis and the FAL index(fractional allelic loss) was found(P = 0.0202).Larger tumor size was found to be signif icantly associated with LOH in genes ADP-ribosyltransferase 3(ART3),nucleoporin 54 kDa(NUP54),scavenger receptor class B,member 2(SCARB2) and coiled-coil domain containing 158(CCDC158)(P = 0.043,P = 0.019,P = 0.001,P = 0.037,respectively).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with LOH in ARD1 homolog B(ARD1B) and septin 11(SEPT11) had a significantly lower survival rate than those with retention(P = 0.021 and P = 0.004,respectively).A Cox regression model suggested that LOH in ARD1B and SEPT11,respectively,were predictors of the overall survival in HCC(P = 0.006 and P = 0.026,respectively).CONCLUSION:LOH in genes around D4S2964 may play an important role in HCC development and progression.LOH in ARD1B and SEPT11 could serve as novel prognostic predictors in HCC patients.展开更多
AIM To assess the effects of the DCC gene changes on the development and progression of gastric cancer. METHODS The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and mRNA expression (LOE) of DCC gene was studied in 51 surgical spec...AIM To assess the effects of the DCC gene changes on the development and progression of gastric cancer. METHODS The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and mRNA expression (LOE) of DCC gene was studied in 51 surgical specimens of gastric cancer with PCR based detection. RESULTS LOH was found in 35 3% (18/51) of the specimens and it was more frequently detected in stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ cancer (50 5%) than in stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ (14 3%) ( P <0 05). The occurrence of LOH was not found to be correlated to the histological type, tumor size, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. Among the 51 cases, mRNA expression of DCC gene was studied in 26 cases of which LOE was found in 30 8% (8/26). LOE was not significantly correlated to LOH and other clinicopathological parameters. CONCLUSION LOH and LOE of DCC gene are frequently encountered in gastric cancer and LOH of DCC gene is a late event and associated with progression of gastric cancer.展开更多
Background p73, a homologue of p53, has been located at chromosome lp36-33, a region of frequently observed loss of heterozygosity in breast cancers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the function ...Background p73, a homologue of p53, has been located at chromosome lp36-33, a region of frequently observed loss of heterozygosity in breast cancers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the function of p73 in Japanese with breast cancers. Methods Sixty Japanese patients with breast cancer were assessed by polymerase chain reaction single strand confirmation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing to detect the p73 allele, p73 mRNA levels were also determined in 40 out of 60 patients by reverse-transcriptional polymerase chain reaction. Results We analyzed the entire open reading frame of the p73 gene by polymerase chain reaction single strand confirmation polymorphism and sequencing, and failed to identify any mutations of p73 in the encoding regions detected. Loss of heterozygosity of p73 was infrequent and only found in 9% of breast carcinomas. We revealed a few polymorphisms with a frequency of 13%-29%, which had been reported previously. Down-regulation of p73 mRNA expression was observed in tumor tissues in comparison to the normal breast tissues. A significant inverse correlation was found between p73 transcripts and high histological grade, suggesting that down-regulated p73 expression could be related to poor prognosis in those patients. Conclusion Our results suggest that p73 may serve as a tumor suppressor gene and its expression plays a role in tumorigenesis in Japanese patients with breast cancer.展开更多
AIM: To investigate loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 9p21 and the prognostic relevance of p16 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). METHODS: Fifty-one GIST patients (30 men and 21 women; media...AIM: To investigate loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 9p21 and the prognostic relevance of p16 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). METHODS: Fifty-one GIST patients (30 men and 21 women; median age 59 years; range 29-80 years) treated surgically within a 10-year period were grouped by aggressive behavior risk (17 with very low and low, 14 intermediate, and 20 high risk). GISTs were characterized immunohistochemically and evaluated for LOH of 9p21 by microsatellite analysis at D9S1751, D9S1846, D9S942, and D9S1748. LOH of 9p21 and immunohistochemicalexpression of p16 protein encoded at 9p21 were correlated with clinicopathological parameters, and the prognostic significance of p16 alterations was evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-one (63.3%) cases showed LOH with at least one microsatellite marker. LOH frequency was 37.0% at D9S1751, 37.5% at D9S1846, 42.1% at D9S942, and 24.2% at D9S1748. There was a higher LOH frequency of D9S942 in high-risk than in non-highrisk tumors (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 4.47). Gender, age, tumor size and site were not correlated with allelic loss. Ninety percent (18/20) of the GIST patients in the high risk group showed LOH with at least one of the 9p21 markers, while 57.1% (8/14) in the intermediate risk group and 33.3% (5/15) in the very low and low risk groups, respectively (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 12.16). Eight (28.5%) of 31 patients with LOH and 1 (5.6%) of 18 patients without LOH died of the disease during the follow-up period. Loss of p16 protein expression occurred in 41.2%, but in 60% of the high risk group and 23.5% of the very low and low risk groups (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 4.98). p16 loss was associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 4.18): the 3and 5-year overall survival rates were 84.8% and 70.8% for p16-negative and 100% and 92.0% for p16-positive patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: LOH at 9p21 appears to play an important role in GIST progression; decreased p16 expression in GIST is highly predictive of poor outcome.展开更多
The present study presents cytogenetics/cytology of haploidization in the origin of a new, fast growing diploid, small cell-type (F-dPCs). The sequence of events was haploid groupings of the chromosomes in normal, hum...The present study presents cytogenetics/cytology of haploidization in the origin of a new, fast growing diploid, small cell-type (F-dPCs). The sequence of events was haploid groupings of the chromosomes in normal, human metaphase cells, followed by genomic doubling to homozygousdiploidy. These events were responses to DNA replication stress fromamino acid glutamine deprivation. Importantly, these homozygous cells outgrew normal fibroblasts in 2 - 3 passages—they had gained proliferative advantage (GPA), presumably from loss (LOH) of tumor suppressor genes. They were morphologically changed cells with rounded nuclei that grew in a “streaming” growth pattern and with changed form and size of mitosis, similar to some hyperplasias. The grouping of the chromosomes in metaphase cells was asymmetric with a narrow range around the median (23) (no micro-nuclei), suggesting genetic control. The root-origin of haploidization was evidenced by maternal and paternal genomes occupying separate territories in metaphase cells, which assumedly permitted independent segregations of bichromatid chromosomes. In near-haploid ALL-L1 leukemia the loss of virtually, whole chromosomal complements was judged by SNP array analyses, as a primary event before genomic doubling to hyperdiploidy with LOH. From the present data such specific, non-random loss of chromosomes strongly suggested, a haploidization process capable of genomic doubling, as observed for the “birth” of the small, F-dPCs. This suggestion was supported by this type of leukemia being the L1-type, where L1 signifies small cells. The possibility now exists that a tumorigenic process can be initiated directly from diploid cells through haploid (near-haploid) distributed chromosomes in normal metaphase cells. This event followed by monosomic doublings to UPDs would lead to massive LOH and a return to para-diploidy, a frequent occurrence in many types of tumors. The present simple, cultural derivations of the extraordinary F-dPCs allow GPA-identification and experimental展开更多
Androgen-induced proliferation shutoff gene AS3, also known as APRIN, is a growth inhibitory gene that is initially implicated in prostate cancer. This gene is required for androgen-dependent growth arrest and is a pr...Androgen-induced proliferation shutoff gene AS3, also known as APRIN, is a growth inhibitory gene that is initially implicated in prostate cancer. This gene is required for androgen-dependent growth arrest and is a primary target for 1,25（OH）2D3 and androgens. Allelic loss at AS3 locus has been linked to a variety of cancers. However, the correlation of genomic and expression alterations of AS3 with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） is not well established. In this study, the genornic and expression alterations of AS3 in ESCC and their clinical significance are evaluated. Loss of heterozygosity （LOH） analysis using an AS3 intragenic microsatellite marker D13S171 revealed 72% allelic loss at AS3 locus in ESCC, which is significantly correlated with higher pathological grade （P=0.042）. RT-PCR examination showed that AS3 mRNA obviously decreased in 44% tumors and its down-regulation was correlated with the sex of patients （P=0.03）. Furthermore, the correlation between genornic and expression alterations of AS3 gene was analyzed in 18 ESCC specimens, which indicated that the consistency between allelic loss and decreased mRNA expression of AS3 was relatively poor. The results of this study indicate that the aberrant expression of AS3 may be involved in the tumorigenesis of esophagus and is responsible for the male predominance of ESCC.展开更多
Objective： To explore the relationship between microsatellite alterations of RASSFIA gene and the development of cervical carcinoma, and its relationship with HPV16 infection. Methods： Two sites of microsatellite po...Objective： To explore the relationship between microsatellite alterations of RASSFIA gene and the development of cervical carcinoma, and its relationship with HPV16 infection. Methods： Two sites of microsatellite polymorphism of RASSFIA gene were selected. Polymerase chain reaction （PCR） technique was used to detect LOH and MSI in 50 cases of cervical carcinoma and 40 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia （CIN）, and to detect the infection state of HPV16. Results： At D3S1478 and D3S4604, the LOH rates of cervical carcinomas were 32.6% （14/43） and 48.9% （23/47）, the MSI rates were 14% （6/43） and 19.1% （9/47）, respectively. The LOH rates of CINs were 31.4% （11/35） and 39.5% （15/38）, the MSI rates were 11.4% （4/35） and 15.8% （6/38）, respectively. There were no significant differences between cervical carcinomas and CINs in respect to their positive rates of LOH and MSI at D3S1478 and D3S4604 （P〉0.05）. There were significant differences in LOH rates at D3S1478 and D3S4604 between the stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ cervical carcinomas and between the well/moderately differentiated cervical carcinomas and the poorly differentiated cervical carcinomas （P〈0.05）. The positive rates of LOH and MSI for CIN Ⅲ and noninvasive cervical carcinomas were higher than those in CIN Ⅰ-Ⅱ. The rates of infection of HPV16 in cervical cancer was obviously higher than that in CIN and in normal cervical tissues （P〈0.05）, and the incidence of LOH of RASSFIA gene was higher in HPV16（＋） than that in HPV16（-） （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The RASSFIA gene change is a relatively late event in cervical carcinomas. The detection of LOH and MSI of RASSFIA gene might be helpful to the early diagnosis and the screening of cervical carcinoma. It might also be useful for predicting the prognosis of cervical carcinoma.展开更多
Mitotic crossover is a natural mechanism that is a main source of the genetic variability of primitive organisms.In complex organisms such as mammals,it represents an evolutionary rudiment which persisted as one of th...Mitotic crossover is a natural mechanism that is a main source of the genetic variability of primitive organisms.In complex organisms such as mammals,it represents an evolutionary rudiment which persisted as one of the numerous DNA repair mechanisms,and results in the production of homozygous allele combinations in all heterozygous genes located on the chromosome arm distal to the crossover.This event is familiar as loss of heterozygosity,which is one of the key mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of almost all cancers.We propose the hypothesis in which mitotic crossover is a principal source of the increased loss of heterozygosity that leads to the initiation and progression of colorectal carcinoma.The hypothesis could be tested by in vitro inhibition of Rad51 protein,orthotopic grafting of human colon cancer tissue into the gut of mice,and treatment with potential inhibitors.After these procedures,the frequency of mitotic crossover would be estimated.The development of selective inhibitors of mitotic crossover could stop further carcinogenesis of colorectal carcinoma,as well as many other neoplastic events.Loss of heterozygosity is an event responsible for carcinogenesis,its reduction by selective inhibitors of mitotic crossover could have a positive effect on cancer chemoprevention,as well as on growth reduction and a cessation in the progression of earlier developed tumors.展开更多
Objective: To further refine the extent of deletion on chromosome 9p21-22 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and provide evidence for discovering new tumor suppressor gene. Methods: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chro...Objective: To further refine the extent of deletion on chromosome 9p21-22 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and provide evidence for discovering new tumor suppressor gene. Methods: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 9p21-22 was analyzed in 25 paired blood and tumor samples by using 11 high-density microsatellite polymorphic markers. Results: 17 of 25 cases (68.0%) showed LOH at one or more loci. Higher frequencies of LOH were found at four loci: D9S161 (35.0%), D9S1678 (31.5%), D9S263 (33.3%) and D9S1853 (33.3%), where 6 cases had a contiguous stretch of allelic loss. Conclusion: The minimal common region of deletion might be defined between D9S161 and D9S1853 (estimated about 2.7 cM in extent) at 9p21.1, suggesting that inactivation of one or more tumor suppressor genes located in this region may be an important step in NPC.展开更多
Objective: The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of cervical carcinoma has been clearly established but other factors could be involved in cervical tumorigenesis such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH...Objective: The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of cervical carcinoma has been clearly established but other factors could be involved in cervical tumorigenesis such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MI). The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic instability in cervical carcinoma tissues and provide evidence for discovering new tumor suppressor genes and screening diagnostic molecular marker of cervical carcinoma. Methods: Fifty primary cervical carcinoma samples from high-incidence area were analyzed by PCR for HPV16 infection, LOH and microsatellite instability. Results: HPV16 was detected in 88% of the cases. Sixty-six percent of total cases showed LOH with no more than 3 different loci per case. The highest frequency of the allelic loss was found in D18S474 (18q21, 40.5%). MI was detected in 4 cases (8%) only. Conclusion: Different percentages of LOH on specific chromosomal regions were found and MI was very infrequent in cervical carcinoma. The putative suppressor gene(s) could be located on specific chromosome regions such as 18q, and genetic instability could be involved in cervical tumorigenesis.展开更多
Southern hybridization was done on DNA samples of22 gastric tumors and corresponding normal tissues, 14colorectal tumors and corresponding normal tissues by probe phs53B mapping at 17P13.1 and probe PYNZ22mapping at 1...Southern hybridization was done on DNA samples of22 gastric tumors and corresponding normal tissues, 14colorectal tumors and corresponding normal tissues by probe phs53B mapping at 17P13.1 and probe PYNZ22mapping at 17pl3.3 which were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection. RFLP heterozygosity was observed in 12 normal tissues of gastric cancers and 10 normal tissues of colorectal cancers. Among these informative tumors, 6(50%) cases of gastric cancers and 6(60%) cases of colorectal cancers showed the loss of beterozygosity at 17p13. Our results demonstrated that the inactivation of wild type p53 might be involved in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancers and colorectal cancers.Furthermore, the mode of inactivation of p53 was in accord with the 'two hits' hypothesis by Anudson. The signincance was discussed regarding the presence of LOH detected by probe PYNZ22 mapping at 17pl3.3.展开更多
A total of 110 primary NSCLCs （non-small cell lung cancers） were recruited in this study to characterize the pattern of 3p21 LOH together with the RASSF1A methylation status and their clinical implication. 3p21 LOH ...A total of 110 primary NSCLCs （non-small cell lung cancers） were recruited in this study to characterize the pattern of 3p21 LOH together with the RASSF1A methylation status and their clinical implication. 3p21 LOH by 8 microsatellite markers, RASSF1A methylation status by methylation-specific PCR （MSPCR） as well as bisulfite genomic sequencing （BGS）, and RASSF1A expression level by real-time quantitative PCR was performed. 3p21 LOH is frequent in NSCLC with a mean frequency of （41.2±3.7）%. Significant associations between 3p21 LOH and gender, smoking history, histological type, and tumor size were observed. Cases with LOH have a slightly lower RASSF1A expression than cases without LOH but not statistically significant. Comparison of RASSF1A methylation that resulted from the three analyses shows significant correlations from one another. Higher frequency of methylation was observed in larger tumors and in smokers compared with smaller tumors and non-smokers, respectively. A significant correlation was also observed in extent between methylation and RASSF1A expression, illustrating that epigenetic mechanism could affect gene expression. The significant clinicopathological relations of 3p21 LOH may be of great use for both early detection and therapeutic interventions.展开更多
Context: The incidence of gallbladder cancer is quite low in the US, with an estimate (2013) for new cases of less than 10,000. The rarity suggests a possible shared molecular pathology that might facilitate a greater...Context: The incidence of gallbladder cancer is quite low in the US, with an estimate (2013) for new cases of less than 10,000. The rarity suggests a possible shared molecular pathology that might facilitate a greater understanding of this tumor. Objective: We wished to assess the molecular genetic profile of this tumor, particularly KRAS gene mutations, which are frequent in tumors associated with chronic inflamemation elsewhere within the abdomen. Design: We ascertained 25 cases of gallbladder adenocarcinoma from our pathology department records for 2000-2012. PCR based techniques were used to evaluate the DNA for loss of heterozygosity of the APC and DCC genes;for point mutations in the KRAS gene, codons 12 and 13;for point mutation in the BRAF gene, codon 600;for point mutation in the GNAS gene, codon 201;and for microsatellite instability. Results: Patients included 5 males and 20 females. Approximately three-quarters of cases were associated with gallstones, inflammation and dysplasia. Microsatellite instability and GNAS mutation, both present in just 4% of cases, and BRAF mutation present in no cases, do not appear to be significant parts of carcinogenesis of gallbladder carcinoma. We detected a KRAS gene mutation in only 8% of the cases. Loss of heterozygosity for the APC was detected in 16.7% of informative cases;and for the DCC gene, in 34.8% of informative cases. Conclusions: Many molecular genetic changes frequently seen with tumors arising from other intra-abdominal organs are infrequent in this tumor type. In particular, KRAS mutations were uncommon, in contra-distinction to other malignant tumors developing in the setting of chronic inflammation/infection.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30070043"10.5"Scientific Research Foundation of PLA,No.01Z075
文摘AIM: To correlate the length of the telomere to microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of APC, MCC and DCC genes in gastric carcinomas. METHODS: Telomeric restriction fragment (TRF) length of gastric cancer was measured with Southern blot. LOH of APC, MCC and DCC genes, microsatellite instability (MSI) and frameshift mutation of hMSH6, TGF-betaRII and BAX genes were analyzed by PCR-based methods. RESULTS: Sixty-eight cases of sporadic gastric carcinoma were studied for MSI using five microsatellite markers. MSI in at least one locus was detected in 17 (25%) of 68 tumors analyzed. Frameshift mutations of hMSH6, TGF-betaRII and BAX were detected in 2,6 and 3 of gastric carcinomas respectively showing high MSI (】 or = 2 loci, n = 8), but none was found in those showing low MSI (only one locus, n = 9) or MSS (tumor lacking MSI or stable, n = 51). Thirty-five cases, including all high MSI and low MSI, were studied for TRF. The mean TRF length was not correlated with clinicopathological parameters. No association was observed between TRF length and MSI or frameshift mutation. On the contrary, LOH at the DCC locus was related to telomere shortening (P【0.01). This tendency was also observed in APC and MCC genes, although there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The development of gastric cancer can arise through two different genetic pathways. In high MSI gastric cancers, defective mismatch repair allows mutations to accumulate and generate the high MSI phenotype. In gastric cancers showing either low MSI or MSS, multiple deletions may represent the LOH pathway. Telomere erosion is independent of high MSI phenotype but related to the LOH pathway in gastric cancer.
基金Supported by The Valley Hospital Foundation Research FundThe community of The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood,NJ,especially Ms.Audrey Meyers,CEO,Mr.Anastasios Kozaitis,president of the Valley Hospital Foundation
文摘Early screening for colorectal cancer(CRC) holds the key to combat and control the increasing global burden of CRC morbidity and mortality. However, the current available screening modalities are severely inadequate because of their high cost and cumbersome preparatory procedures that ultimately lead to a low participation rate. People simply do not like to have colonoscopies. It would be ideal, therefore, to develop an alternative modality based on blood biomarkers as the first line screening test. This will allow for the differentiation of the general population from high risk individuals. Colonoscopy would then become the secondary test, to further screen the high risk segment of the population. This will encourage participation and therefore help to reach the goal of early detection and thereby reduce the anticipated increasing global CRC incidence rate. A blood-based screening test is anappealing alternative as it is non-invasive and poses minimal risk to patients. It is easy to perform, can be repeated at shorter intervals, and therefore would likely lead to a much higher participation rate. This review surveys various blood-based test strategies currently under investigation, discusses the potency of what is available, and assesses how new technology may contribute to future test design.
基金This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30700813, No. 30470977, No, 30080016）, Fundamental Key Science Foundation of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality （No. 05JC14029）, Public Scientific Sesearch Platform of Hospital of Grade A at the Tertiary Level of Shanghai （No. SHDC12007704） and Youth Science Foundation of Shanghai Health Bureau （No. 034Y03）.Acknowledgments： We thank CapitalBio Corporation for performing microarray scanning and Jacqueline Ramirez, Keith Mitchilson for editorial comments.
文摘Background As a model for both multistep and multipathway carcinogenesis, colorectal neoplastic progression provides paradigms for researching both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes （TSGs）. However, the mechanism of colorectal cancer （CRC） is not completely understood, and many genes may be involved in the colorectal carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to screen for the potential TSGs on chromosome 1q31.1-32.1 in Chinese patients with sporadic colorectal cancer, to explore whether colorectal cancer in the Chinese population has unique genetic alterations and determine whether other putative TSGs exist and contribute to colon carcinogenesis. Methods Six polymorphic microsatellite markers, at a density of approximately one marker in every 1.6 cM, were chosen for refined loss of heterozygosity （LOH） mapping of 1q31.1-32.1. Eighty-three colorectal cancer patients＇ tumor and normal DNA were analyzed via polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for these microsatellite markers. PCR products were eletrophoresed on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer. Genescan 3.1 and Genotype 2.1 software were used for LOH scanning and analysis. On the basis of refined LOH mapping results, we undertook a microarray-based expression screening to identify tumor association genes in 19 of the CRC cases. Results The average LOH frequency of 1q31.1-32.1 was 24.41%, with the highest frequency of 36.73% （18/49） at D1S2622, and the lowest of 16.42% （11/67） at D1S412. A minimal region of frequent deletion was located within a 2 cM genomic segment at D1S413-D1S2622. There was no significant association between LOH of any marker in the studied regions and the clinicopathological data （patient sex, age, tumor size, growth pattern, or Dukes stage）. On the basis of refined mapping results, we chose 25 genes located in the D1S413-D1S2622 （1q31.3-32.1） region and presented a microarray-based high throughput screening approach in 19 sporadic CRC cases to identify candidate CRC related tumor suppressor genes. This study found 4
文摘AIM: To investigate the prognostic value of chromosome 18q microsatellite alterations (MA) in stage Ⅱ colon cancer. METHODS: One hundred and six patients with sporadic stage Ⅱ colon cancer were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor and adjacent normal mucosal tissue samples. MA, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI), was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis and DNA sequencing at 5 microsatellite loci on chromosome 18q (D18S474, D18S55, D18S58, D18S61 and D18S64).RESULTS: Among the 102 patients eligible for MA information, the overall frequencies of LOH, high and low frequency MSI/microsatellite stable were 49.0%, 17.6% and 82.4%, respectively. The high frequency of 18q-LOH was signif icantly associated with the poor 5-year overall survival (OS) (P=0.008) and disease free survival (P=0.006). High levels of MSI were significantly associated with a longer 5-year OS (P=0.045) while the higher frequency of 18q-LOH at the loci of D18S474 and D18S61 was significantly associated with a poorer 5-year OS (P=0.010 and 0.005, respectively). But multivariate analysis showed that only the frequency of 18q-LOH was significantly associated with the prognosis of the disease. CONCLUSION: High frequency of 18q-LOH is an independent prognostic factor indicating poor prognosis of the patients with stage Ⅱ colon cancer.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 30772491 to Wang HYpartially supported by Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China to Wang HY
文摘AIM:To investigate genes around the locus D4S2964 affected by loss of heterozygosity(LOH) and their clinical implications.METHODS:Four hundred and forty single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) located at 49 genes around D4S2964 were selected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information website for the SNPs microarray fabrication.LOH of SNPs markers in 112 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) tissues and paired adjacent liver tissues were investigated by the SNPs microarray.The correlation between allelic losses with clinicopathological features and overall survival was analyzed.RESULTS:A f ine map of LOH of SNPs in genes around D4S2964 was plotted.The average frequency of LOH in genes was 0.39.A correlation between cirrhosis and the FAL index(fractional allelic loss) was found(P = 0.0202).Larger tumor size was found to be signif icantly associated with LOH in genes ADP-ribosyltransferase 3(ART3),nucleoporin 54 kDa(NUP54),scavenger receptor class B,member 2(SCARB2) and coiled-coil domain containing 158(CCDC158)(P = 0.043,P = 0.019,P = 0.001,P = 0.037,respectively).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with LOH in ARD1 homolog B(ARD1B) and septin 11(SEPT11) had a significantly lower survival rate than those with retention(P = 0.021 and P = 0.004,respectively).A Cox regression model suggested that LOH in ARD1B and SEPT11,respectively,were predictors of the overall survival in HCC(P = 0.006 and P = 0.026,respectively).CONCLUSION:LOH in genes around D4S2964 may play an important role in HCC development and progression.LOH in ARD1B and SEPT11 could serve as novel prognostic predictors in HCC patients.
文摘AIM To assess the effects of the DCC gene changes on the development and progression of gastric cancer. METHODS The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and mRNA expression (LOE) of DCC gene was studied in 51 surgical specimens of gastric cancer with PCR based detection. RESULTS LOH was found in 35 3% (18/51) of the specimens and it was more frequently detected in stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ cancer (50 5%) than in stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ (14 3%) ( P <0 05). The occurrence of LOH was not found to be correlated to the histological type, tumor size, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. Among the 51 cases, mRNA expression of DCC gene was studied in 26 cases of which LOE was found in 30 8% (8/26). LOE was not significantly correlated to LOH and other clinicopathological parameters. CONCLUSION LOH and LOE of DCC gene are frequently encountered in gastric cancer and LOH of DCC gene is a late event and associated with progression of gastric cancer.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30973377）, Major State Basic Research Development Program （No. 2011CB707705）, and the Natural Science Fund of the Province of Guangdong （No. 9151800102000001）.Acknowledgements： We thank Dr. Akira Nakagawara for kindly providing the sequence of the intron-exon boundaries.
文摘Background p73, a homologue of p53, has been located at chromosome lp36-33, a region of frequently observed loss of heterozygosity in breast cancers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the function of p73 in Japanese with breast cancers. Methods Sixty Japanese patients with breast cancer were assessed by polymerase chain reaction single strand confirmation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing to detect the p73 allele, p73 mRNA levels were also determined in 40 out of 60 patients by reverse-transcriptional polymerase chain reaction. Results We analyzed the entire open reading frame of the p73 gene by polymerase chain reaction single strand confirmation polymorphism and sequencing, and failed to identify any mutations of p73 in the encoding regions detected. Loss of heterozygosity of p73 was infrequent and only found in 9% of breast carcinomas. We revealed a few polymorphisms with a frequency of 13%-29%, which had been reported previously. Down-regulation of p73 mRNA expression was observed in tumor tissues in comparison to the normal breast tissues. A significant inverse correlation was found between p73 transcripts and high histological grade, suggesting that down-regulated p73 expression could be related to poor prognosis in those patients. Conclusion Our results suggest that p73 may serve as a tumor suppressor gene and its expression plays a role in tumorigenesis in Japanese patients with breast cancer.
基金Supported by Key Discipline Project of Renji Hospital, Shang-hai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. RJ4101304
文摘AIM: To investigate loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 9p21 and the prognostic relevance of p16 expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). METHODS: Fifty-one GIST patients (30 men and 21 women; median age 59 years; range 29-80 years) treated surgically within a 10-year period were grouped by aggressive behavior risk (17 with very low and low, 14 intermediate, and 20 high risk). GISTs were characterized immunohistochemically and evaluated for LOH of 9p21 by microsatellite analysis at D9S1751, D9S1846, D9S942, and D9S1748. LOH of 9p21 and immunohistochemicalexpression of p16 protein encoded at 9p21 were correlated with clinicopathological parameters, and the prognostic significance of p16 alterations was evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-one (63.3%) cases showed LOH with at least one microsatellite marker. LOH frequency was 37.0% at D9S1751, 37.5% at D9S1846, 42.1% at D9S942, and 24.2% at D9S1748. There was a higher LOH frequency of D9S942 in high-risk than in non-highrisk tumors (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 4.47). Gender, age, tumor size and site were not correlated with allelic loss. Ninety percent (18/20) of the GIST patients in the high risk group showed LOH with at least one of the 9p21 markers, while 57.1% (8/14) in the intermediate risk group and 33.3% (5/15) in the very low and low risk groups, respectively (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 12.16). Eight (28.5%) of 31 patients with LOH and 1 (5.6%) of 18 patients without LOH died of the disease during the follow-up period. Loss of p16 protein expression occurred in 41.2%, but in 60% of the high risk group and 23.5% of the very low and low risk groups (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 4.98). p16 loss was associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05, χ 2 = 4.18): the 3and 5-year overall survival rates were 84.8% and 70.8% for p16-negative and 100% and 92.0% for p16-positive patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: LOH at 9p21 appears to play an important role in GIST progression; decreased p16 expression in GIST is highly predictive of poor outcome.
文摘The present study presents cytogenetics/cytology of haploidization in the origin of a new, fast growing diploid, small cell-type (F-dPCs). The sequence of events was haploid groupings of the chromosomes in normal, human metaphase cells, followed by genomic doubling to homozygousdiploidy. These events were responses to DNA replication stress fromamino acid glutamine deprivation. Importantly, these homozygous cells outgrew normal fibroblasts in 2 - 3 passages—they had gained proliferative advantage (GPA), presumably from loss (LOH) of tumor suppressor genes. They were morphologically changed cells with rounded nuclei that grew in a “streaming” growth pattern and with changed form and size of mitosis, similar to some hyperplasias. The grouping of the chromosomes in metaphase cells was asymmetric with a narrow range around the median (23) (no micro-nuclei), suggesting genetic control. The root-origin of haploidization was evidenced by maternal and paternal genomes occupying separate territories in metaphase cells, which assumedly permitted independent segregations of bichromatid chromosomes. In near-haploid ALL-L1 leukemia the loss of virtually, whole chromosomal complements was judged by SNP array analyses, as a primary event before genomic doubling to hyperdiploidy with LOH. From the present data such specific, non-random loss of chromosomes strongly suggested, a haploidization process capable of genomic doubling, as observed for the “birth” of the small, F-dPCs. This suggestion was supported by this type of leukemia being the L1-type, where L1 signifies small cells. The possibility now exists that a tumorigenic process can be initiated directly from diploid cells through haploid (near-haploid) distributed chromosomes in normal metaphase cells. This event followed by monosomic doublings to UPDs would lead to massive LOH and a return to para-diploidy, a frequent occurrence in many types of tumors. The present simple, cultural derivations of the extraordinary F-dPCs allow GPA-identification and experimental
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30400207 ,30470969） the State Key Basic Research Grant of China （No. 2002CB513101 , 2004CB518705） the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University （No. IRT0416）.
文摘Androgen-induced proliferation shutoff gene AS3, also known as APRIN, is a growth inhibitory gene that is initially implicated in prostate cancer. This gene is required for androgen-dependent growth arrest and is a primary target for 1,25（OH）2D3 and androgens. Allelic loss at AS3 locus has been linked to a variety of cancers. However, the correlation of genomic and expression alterations of AS3 with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） is not well established. In this study, the genornic and expression alterations of AS3 in ESCC and their clinical significance are evaluated. Loss of heterozygosity （LOH） analysis using an AS3 intragenic microsatellite marker D13S171 revealed 72% allelic loss at AS3 locus in ESCC, which is significantly correlated with higher pathological grade （P=0.042）. RT-PCR examination showed that AS3 mRNA obviously decreased in 44% tumors and its down-regulation was correlated with the sex of patients （P=0.03）. Furthermore, the correlation between genornic and expression alterations of AS3 gene was analyzed in 18 ESCC specimens, which indicated that the consistency between allelic loss and decreased mRNA expression of AS3 was relatively poor. The results of this study indicate that the aberrant expression of AS3 may be involved in the tumorigenesis of esophagus and is responsible for the male predominance of ESCC.
文摘Objective： To explore the relationship between microsatellite alterations of RASSFIA gene and the development of cervical carcinoma, and its relationship with HPV16 infection. Methods： Two sites of microsatellite polymorphism of RASSFIA gene were selected. Polymerase chain reaction （PCR） technique was used to detect LOH and MSI in 50 cases of cervical carcinoma and 40 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia （CIN）, and to detect the infection state of HPV16. Results： At D3S1478 and D3S4604, the LOH rates of cervical carcinomas were 32.6% （14/43） and 48.9% （23/47）, the MSI rates were 14% （6/43） and 19.1% （9/47）, respectively. The LOH rates of CINs were 31.4% （11/35） and 39.5% （15/38）, the MSI rates were 11.4% （4/35） and 15.8% （6/38）, respectively. There were no significant differences between cervical carcinomas and CINs in respect to their positive rates of LOH and MSI at D3S1478 and D3S4604 （P〉0.05）. There were significant differences in LOH rates at D3S1478 and D3S4604 between the stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ cervical carcinomas and between the well/moderately differentiated cervical carcinomas and the poorly differentiated cervical carcinomas （P〈0.05）. The positive rates of LOH and MSI for CIN Ⅲ and noninvasive cervical carcinomas were higher than those in CIN Ⅰ-Ⅱ. The rates of infection of HPV16 in cervical cancer was obviously higher than that in CIN and in normal cervical tissues （P〈0.05）, and the incidence of LOH of RASSFIA gene was higher in HPV16（＋） than that in HPV16（-） （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The RASSFIA gene change is a relatively late event in cervical carcinomas. The detection of LOH and MSI of RASSFIA gene might be helpful to the early diagnosis and the screening of cervical carcinoma. It might also be useful for predicting the prognosis of cervical carcinoma.
基金Supported by The Ministry of Science and Education(partially),Republic of Serbia,No.175091
文摘Mitotic crossover is a natural mechanism that is a main source of the genetic variability of primitive organisms.In complex organisms such as mammals,it represents an evolutionary rudiment which persisted as one of the numerous DNA repair mechanisms,and results in the production of homozygous allele combinations in all heterozygous genes located on the chromosome arm distal to the crossover.This event is familiar as loss of heterozygosity,which is one of the key mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of almost all cancers.We propose the hypothesis in which mitotic crossover is a principal source of the increased loss of heterozygosity that leads to the initiation and progression of colorectal carcinoma.The hypothesis could be tested by in vitro inhibition of Rad51 protein,orthotopic grafting of human colon cancer tissue into the gut of mice,and treatment with potential inhibitors.After these procedures,the frequency of mitotic crossover would be estimated.The development of selective inhibitors of mitotic crossover could stop further carcinogenesis of colorectal carcinoma,as well as many other neoplastic events.Loss of heterozygosity is an event responsible for carcinogenesis,its reduction by selective inhibitors of mitotic crossover could have a positive effect on cancer chemoprevention,as well as on growth reduction and a cessation in the progression of earlier developed tumors.
基金a grant from the National "863" Project of China (No. 102-10-01-05).
文摘Objective: To further refine the extent of deletion on chromosome 9p21-22 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and provide evidence for discovering new tumor suppressor gene. Methods: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 9p21-22 was analyzed in 25 paired blood and tumor samples by using 11 high-density microsatellite polymorphic markers. Results: 17 of 25 cases (68.0%) showed LOH at one or more loci. Higher frequencies of LOH were found at four loci: D9S161 (35.0%), D9S1678 (31.5%), D9S263 (33.3%) and D9S1853 (33.3%), where 6 cases had a contiguous stretch of allelic loss. Conclusion: The minimal common region of deletion might be defined between D9S161 and D9S1853 (estimated about 2.7 cM in extent) at 9p21.1, suggesting that inactivation of one or more tumor suppressor genes located in this region may be an important step in NPC.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 301710420).
文摘Objective: The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of cervical carcinoma has been clearly established but other factors could be involved in cervical tumorigenesis such as loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MI). The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic instability in cervical carcinoma tissues and provide evidence for discovering new tumor suppressor genes and screening diagnostic molecular marker of cervical carcinoma. Methods: Fifty primary cervical carcinoma samples from high-incidence area were analyzed by PCR for HPV16 infection, LOH and microsatellite instability. Results: HPV16 was detected in 88% of the cases. Sixty-six percent of total cases showed LOH with no more than 3 different loci per case. The highest frequency of the allelic loss was found in D18S474 (18q21, 40.5%). MI was detected in 4 cases (8%) only. Conclusion: Different percentages of LOH on specific chromosomal regions were found and MI was very infrequent in cervical carcinoma. The putative suppressor gene(s) could be located on specific chromosome regions such as 18q, and genetic instability could be involved in cervical tumorigenesis.
文摘Southern hybridization was done on DNA samples of22 gastric tumors and corresponding normal tissues, 14colorectal tumors and corresponding normal tissues by probe phs53B mapping at 17P13.1 and probe PYNZ22mapping at 17pl3.3 which were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection. RFLP heterozygosity was observed in 12 normal tissues of gastric cancers and 10 normal tissues of colorectal cancers. Among these informative tumors, 6(50%) cases of gastric cancers and 6(60%) cases of colorectal cancers showed the loss of beterozygosity at 17p13. Our results demonstrated that the inactivation of wild type p53 might be involved in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancers and colorectal cancers.Furthermore, the mode of inactivation of p53 was in accord with the 'two hits' hypothesis by Anudson. The signincance was discussed regarding the presence of LOH detected by probe PYNZ22 mapping at 17pl3.3.
基金Supported by grants from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKU7310/01M, 7486/03M, 7468/04)
文摘A total of 110 primary NSCLCs （non-small cell lung cancers） were recruited in this study to characterize the pattern of 3p21 LOH together with the RASSF1A methylation status and their clinical implication. 3p21 LOH by 8 microsatellite markers, RASSF1A methylation status by methylation-specific PCR （MSPCR） as well as bisulfite genomic sequencing （BGS）, and RASSF1A expression level by real-time quantitative PCR was performed. 3p21 LOH is frequent in NSCLC with a mean frequency of （41.2±3.7）%. Significant associations between 3p21 LOH and gender, smoking history, histological type, and tumor size were observed. Cases with LOH have a slightly lower RASSF1A expression than cases without LOH but not statistically significant. Comparison of RASSF1A methylation that resulted from the three analyses shows significant correlations from one another. Higher frequency of methylation was observed in larger tumors and in smokers compared with smaller tumors and non-smokers, respectively. A significant correlation was also observed in extent between methylation and RASSF1A expression, illustrating that epigenetic mechanism could affect gene expression. The significant clinicopathological relations of 3p21 LOH may be of great use for both early detection and therapeutic interventions.
文摘Context: The incidence of gallbladder cancer is quite low in the US, with an estimate (2013) for new cases of less than 10,000. The rarity suggests a possible shared molecular pathology that might facilitate a greater understanding of this tumor. Objective: We wished to assess the molecular genetic profile of this tumor, particularly KRAS gene mutations, which are frequent in tumors associated with chronic inflamemation elsewhere within the abdomen. Design: We ascertained 25 cases of gallbladder adenocarcinoma from our pathology department records for 2000-2012. PCR based techniques were used to evaluate the DNA for loss of heterozygosity of the APC and DCC genes;for point mutations in the KRAS gene, codons 12 and 13;for point mutation in the BRAF gene, codon 600;for point mutation in the GNAS gene, codon 201;and for microsatellite instability. Results: Patients included 5 males and 20 females. Approximately three-quarters of cases were associated with gallstones, inflammation and dysplasia. Microsatellite instability and GNAS mutation, both present in just 4% of cases, and BRAF mutation present in no cases, do not appear to be significant parts of carcinogenesis of gallbladder carcinoma. We detected a KRAS gene mutation in only 8% of the cases. Loss of heterozygosity for the APC was detected in 16.7% of informative cases;and for the DCC gene, in 34.8% of informative cases. Conclusions: Many molecular genetic changes frequently seen with tumors arising from other intra-abdominal organs are infrequent in this tumor type. In particular, KRAS mutations were uncommon, in contra-distinction to other malignant tumors developing in the setting of chronic inflammation/infection.
