K-ras gene point mutations in human endometrial carcinomas: correlation with clinicopathological features and patients' outcome.
In order to evaluate the role of K-ras gene point mutations in the progression of endometrial carcinoma, we applied the polymerase chain reaction/restriction-fragment-length polymorphism technique to 57 tumours surgically removed from women of Polish origin. We assessed the relationship between K-ras gene activation and clinicopathological features as well as patients' outcome. Mutational activation in codon 12 of the K-ras gene was detected in 8 out of 57 (14%) endometrial carcinomas, while in codon 13 of the K-ras gene no point mutations were noted. A correlation between the histological type of the tumour and codon 12 K-ras gene mutation was noted (P < 0.05; Fisher exact test). K-ras gene mutation was not related to the patients' age, surgical stage, histological grade or to the depth of myometrial invasion. A trend towards a poorer prognosis was noted during the follow-up of patients whose tumours had shown K-ras codon 12 point mutations, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.06; log-rank test). Our data indicate that point mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras gene are a rare event in human endometrial carcinomas. The lack of correlation between K-ras point mutations and clinicopathological features (except histological type) supports the hypothesis of a random activation of the K-ras gene in human neoplastic endometrium.
Semczuk
A
A
Department of Gynaecological Surgery, Lublin School of Medicine, Poland. tomek@asklepios.am.lublin.pl
Berbeć
H
H
Kostuch
M
M
Cybulski
M
M
Wojcierowski
J
J
Baranowski
W
W
D000368:Aged; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation; D011044:Poland; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011379:Prognosis