title: Detection of non-maternal components of gestational choriocarcinoma by PCR-based microsatellite DNA assay.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gestational and non-gestational choriocarcinomas have distinctly different tissues of origin, parental genotypes, natural histories, and responses to therapy. Our objective was to develop a convenient, fast, and reliable assay that would, using only patient tissue, allow separation of gestational from non-gestational choriocarcinomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Benign and malignant tissues, preserved in paraffin blocks and separated by microdissection, were examined using a commercial PCR-based tissue identity assay (ABI AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus Kit and ABI 377 DNA sequencer) to detect genetic profiles of 9 microsatellite markers, along with X and Y chromosome markers. Cases included 6 choriocarcinomas. Controls included eight non-germ cell reproductive tract tumors and two hydatidiform moles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microsatellite markers identified the five choriocarcinomas diagnosed on clinical and histological grounds as gestational, to be of genetically non-maternal (androgenic) origin. The neoplasm previously classified as a non-gestational choriocarcinoma was demonstrated to be of maternal origin, as were the non-germ cell reproductive tract tumors. Samples from hydatidiform moles contained either androgenic markers only or a mix of maternal and androgenic markers, as previously seen in complete and partial moles, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A commercially available microsatellite DNA diagnostic assay is a quick and convenient way to discriminate between gestational and non-gestational choriocarcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. mcankov1@hfhs.org
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cankovic
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gaba
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Wooshin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Zarbo
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D031954:Choriocarcinoma, Non-gestational / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm