Investigation of mutations and expression of the FHIT gene in Turkish patients with brain metastases derived from non-small cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Brain metastases occur in 20-40% of patients with cancer, and their frequency has increased over time. Lung, breast and skin (melanoma) are the most common sources of brain metastases. Recent studies show that several genes such as CD44 and PTEN have roles in the suppression of metastatic growth. Although it has been determined that there is a relationship between the FHIT gene and several primary tumors, its role in the initiation and progression of brain tumors has not yet been entirely explained. Furthermore, it is not known whether the FHIT gene has a role in the formation of brain metastases.


METHODS
The present study investigated mutations of the FHIT gene in Turkish patients with brain metastases derived from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Single-strand conformational polymorphism and sequencing analysis of the coding exons (5-9) of the FHIT gene were performed on 26 tissues. Furthermore, the level of Fhit protein expression of 36 tumor tissues was identified by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Using single-strand conformational polymorphism and sequencing analyses, no point mutations of the FHIT gene were detected in brain metastases derived from NSCLC. However, it was observed that Fhit protein expression was reduced in 88.9% of subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the FHIT gene may be turned off in brain metastases via other genetic/epigenetic mechanisms rather than mutations.
Bekar
Ahmet
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. abekar@uludag.edu.tr
Ceçener
Gülşah
G
Tunca
Berrin
B
Guler
Gulnur
G
Egeli
Unal
U
Tolunay
Sahsine
S
D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; D014421:Turkey; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase
D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase