[K-ras gene mutation in gallbladder carcinoma].
BACKGROUND
Different K-ras mutation frequencies in gallbladder cancer have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To study the frequency of K-ras gene mutations in advanced gallbladder carcinoma not associated to anomalous junction of pancreatic-biliary duct (AJPBD).


METHODS
33 formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples of gallbladder carcinoma (30 women, age range 32-86 years) were selected. Pancreatic cancer tissue with K-ras mutations was used as control. DNA was extracted from the histological section by mean of microdissection and K-ras mutations in codon 12 were detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), using previously reported technique.


RESULTS
Most cases were poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. K-ras mutation was detected in 10 cases (30%) samples. No differences in K-ras mutation frequency between subserous and serous tumors were detected and no relation between histological features and the mutation was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
K-ras mutation in codon 12 is present in 30% in our advanced gallbladder carcinomas. The study of K-ras mutation in preneoplastic lesions and early carcinonmas will be important to determine the role of this gene in the gallbladder carcinogenesis in Chile.
Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Juan Carlos
JC
Roa
Iván
I
Roa
Xabier
X
de Aretxabala
Angélica
A
Melo
Gaspar
G
Faría
Oscar
O
Tapia
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003062:Codon; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
D003062:Codon