title: Correlation of K-ras codon 12 mutations in human feces and ages of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the predominant gastrointestinal malignancy and constitutes a major medical and economic burden worldwide. A thorough understanding of the oncogenes or genes related to tumorigenesis is the key to developing successful therapeutic strategies. Molecular analysis of feces constitutes a potentially potent and noninvasive method for detection of CRC. Using nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, sloughed cells from the entire length of the colon and rectum were analyzed for expression of activating K-ras codon 12 mutants, which are becoming attractive targets for antisense treatment. K-ras codon 12 mutant sequences were detected in feces of 5% (1/20) of healthy controls, in feces of 41% (12/29) of CRC patients, in 10% (3/29) of isolates of tissue complementary DNA (cDNA), and in 14% (4/29) of isolates of genomic DNA. Age of patient was significantly associated with K-ras codon 12 sequences in feces: Patients with wild-type K-ras codon 12 sequences were significantly younger than those with mutated forms of K-ras codon 12. Fecal ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis was demonstrated to be a useful for diagnosis of CRC. This technique may be suitable for screening and determining the clinical significance of active mutations of the K-ras gene in feces and would possibly be useful for identifying patients that would benefit from antisense therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Cathay General Hospital, Neihu, and School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Hsin-chuang, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Shu-Hung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chen-Chiung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chia-Long
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ruey-Neng
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shung-Haur
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chi-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012007:Rectum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger