[Analysis of telomeric length in epithelial carcinoma of the ovary].
BACKGROUND
As a consequence of the high cell division rate, telomeric repeat reduction in human tumor cells, giving rise to genetic instability, has recently been described. The aim of this study was to analyze by Southern blot telomeric length alterations in a retrospective group of patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma.


METHODS
Tumor and corresponding normal DNA were isolated from paraffin-embedded tissue of 16 patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma. Telomeric Restriction Fragments (TRF) were studied by Southern blot and densitometric analysis.


RESULTS
No telomere alterations were detected in 37.5% of patients (6/16). Of the remaining ten, 5 were found to have telomere reduction and five telomere elongation. No significant correlation was found between clinicopathological variables, response to chemotherapy, survival rate or time to progression, and telomere length alterations.


CONCLUSIONS
In ovarian epithelial carcinoma telomere elongation may be a marker of the presence of immortal cells within the tumor, but telomere or the absence of telomeric alterations do not rule out the presence of these cells. Although TRF analysis can be performed in paraffin-embedded tissues, it is not the best indicator of telomerase activity and thus of tumor aggressiveness in early stages of this carcinoma.
Aldea
A I
AI
Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona.
Barnadas
A
A
Tarrats
A
A
Vaquero
M
M
Muñoz
C
C
Krugger
M
M
Monzó
M
M
Rosell
R
R
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018283:Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis; D016615:Telomere
D019098:Telomerase
Análisis de la longitud telomérica en el carcinoma epitelial de ovario.