K-ras mutations in nonmucinous ovarian epithelial tumors: a molecular analysis and clinicopathologic study of 144 patients.
BACKGROUND
To assess the putative prognostic value of K-ras mutations in nonmucinous ovarian tumors, the authors looked for K-ras point mutations at codons 12 and 13 in 144 nonmucinous ovarian tumors.


METHODS
A series of 144 consecutive, unselected, archival, nonmucinous ovarian tumors (35 benign, 12 borderline, and 97 malignant) were studied. K-ras mutations at codons 12 and 13 were determined by polymerase chain reaction using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method with mismatched nested primers. Extensive clinicopathologic and follow-up data on all patients were evaluated.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of K-ras mutations at codons 12 and 13 was 30.5% (44/144). In benign tumors, it was 20% (7/35); in borderline tumors, 25% (3/12); and in carcinomas, 35% (34/97). The presence of K-ras point mutations did not correlate with survival. Among the benign tumors, K-ras mutations were detected in three Brenner tumors with a mucinous component.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that K-ras mutations are not initial events in the pathogenesis of nonmucinous ovarian tumors and do not appear to be related to survival.
Cuatrecasas
M
M
Department of Pathology, Hospital de Sant Pau, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.
Erill
N
N
Musulen
E
E
Costa
I
I
Matias-Guiu
X
X
Prat
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D003062:Codon; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000235:genetics*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D017354:Point Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis
D003062:Codon; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm