Oncogene expression in endocrine pancreatic tumors.
The mRNA expression of the (proto)oncogenes Ha-ras, Ki-ras, fos, c-myc, N-myc, and sis was studied in five pancreatic endocrine tumors and two non-neoplastic pancreatic tissues. Compared with non-tumorous pancreatic tissue, Ha-ras and Ki-ras mRNA was overexpressed up to 42-fold in all the tumors; metastasizing tumors showed 2-6 times higher Ha-ras mRNA levels than benign neoplasias. In contrast, c-myc mRNA levels were higher in normal tissue than n tumors and fos mRNA levels did not differ significantly between tumors and normal tissue. The activities of Ki-ras, fos and c-myc mRNA expression did not correlate with any of the histological or biological properties of the tumors, nor with the clinical course of disease. Our results, although based on a limited number of cases, suggest tha Ha-ras and Ki-ras mRNA overexpression is associated with the development of pancreatic endocrine tumors. The measurement of Ha-ras mRNA levels may contribute to the assessment of tumor prognosis.
Höfler
H
H
Division of Oncology and Experimental Cell Research, University of Graz School of Medicine, Austria.
Ruhri
C
C
Pütz
B
B
Wirnsberger
G
G
Hauser
H
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009857:Oncogenes; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger