Browsing by Author "Wistuba, II"
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- ItemAllelic losses at chromosome 8p21-23 are early and frequent events in the pathogenesis of lung cancer(AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH, 1999) Wistuba, II; Behrens, C; Virmani, AK; Milchgrub, S; Syed, S; Lam, S; Mackay, B; Minna, JD; Gazdar, AFAllelic Losses on the short arm of chromosome 8 (8p) have been reported as frequent events in several cancers, including Lung. However, no comprehensive mapping analysis of chromosome 8p in Lung cancer tumors has been performed, and no data are available about the stage at which these abnormalities occur during the multistage development of lung cancer. Using 26 microsatellite markers, we mapped the chromosome 8 regions frequently deleted in lung cancer in 13 small cell carcinoma and 17 non-small cell lung carcinoma cell Lines and in 68 microdissected archival primary lung tumors (22 small cell lung carcinomas, 25 squamous cell carcinomas, and 21 adenocarcinomas), We also studied the role of 8p deletions in lung cancer pathogenesis by examining 95 microdissected normal epithelium and preneoplastic samples from 11 surgically resected squamous cell Lung carcinomas and from 58 bronchoscopy biopsy samples obtained from 31 current and former smokers. High frequencies of deletions at 8p21-23 regions were detected in lung cancer cell lines and in primary lung tumors. Deletions commenced early during the multistage development of lung cancer at the hyperplasia/metaplasia stage in cancer patients and in smokers without cancer. Allelic deletions persisted for up to 48 years after smoking cessation. There was a progressive increase of the overall 8p21-23 loss of heterozygosity frequency and in the size of the deleted region with increasing severity of histopathological preneoplastic changes. In epithelial samples from resected squamous cell Lung carcinomas, we compared the presence of loss of heterozygosity at 8p21-23 with deletions at chromosomes 3p and 9p, Of interest, the pattern of deletions was not random, and 8p21-23 allelic Losses always followed 3p deletions and usually followed 9p deletions. We conclude that 8p21-23 deletions are frequent and early events in the pathogenesis of Lung carcinomas.
- ItemAnalysis of the FHIT gene and FRA3B region in sporadic breast cancer, preneoplastic lesions, and familial breast cancer probands(1997) Ahmadian, M; Wistuba, II; Fong, KM; Behrens, C; Kodagoda, DR; Saboorian, MH; Shay, J; Tomlinson, GE; Blum, J; Minna, JD; Gazdar, AFThe FHIT gene, which spans the FRA3B fragile site at chromosome 3p14.2 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in breast and other cancers. We investigated FHIT and FRA3B for loss of heterozygosity (LOH); homozygous deletions; abnormal transcripts; and acquired/germ-line point mutations in breast cancer cell lines (n = 32), breast epithelial and stromal cell cultures (n = 18), microdissected invasive (n = 16) and ductal in situ carcinomas (n = 6), and their accompanying normal and abnormal epithelial foci (n = 14). LOH at 3p14.2, especially at FHIT intragenic marker D3S1300, was found in 6 of 16 microdissected invasive tumors and 3 of 6 ductal in situ carcinomas. In accompanying preneoplastic foci, LOH occurred in two of eight intraductal hyperplasias but not in histologically normal ductal epithelium (n = 6). Three of 32 (9%) breast cancer cell lines demonstrated homozygous deletions of FHIT exon 4 (two cases) and exon 5 (one case), which correlated with exon 4-deleted transcripts and loss of the cDNA transcript containing the coding exons 5-9, respectively. Normal mammary cultures and 31 or 32 tumor cell lines (97%) expressed wild-type coding transcripts as well as a minor exon 5-deleted message. Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of the coding exons in the 32 tumor and 18 normal breast cell lines and their sequencing revealed four silent polymorphisms and a germ-line histidine triad point mutation (651 G-->T) in a tumor arising in a 70-year-old woman. This mutation was also present in one of her two thus far unaffected daughters. Analysis of additional DNAs from 280 probands of high-risk breast cancer families for other FHIT exon 8 mutations detected an intronic point mutation 13 bases upstream of exon 8. Thus, we have demonstrated relatively early abnormalities of the FHIT/FRA3B region in breast cancer and discovered two rare FHIT germ-line mutations. The expression of a transcript containing the coding exons in nearly all cell lines, including those with germ-line mutations, suggests the possibility that another gene in the FRA3B region may be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.
- ItemBRAF mutation -: A frequent event in benign, atypical, and malignant melanocytic lesions of the skin(2003) Uribe, P; Wistuba, II; González, SBRAF mutations have recently been detected with a high frequency (66%) in cutaneous melanoma. All those mutations are activating, with a single substitution (T1796A) at codon 599 (V599E) accounting for over 90%. To investigate the stage in which those mutations occur in the currently proposed sequential malignant transformation of melanocytes, 22 benign melanocytic nevi, 23 melanocytic atypical nevi, and 25 primary cutaneous melanoma from 63 different patients were examined for BRAF mutations using DNA extracted from microdissected formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues, and a two-round PCR-RFLP-based strategy. A subset of samples was sequenced for mutation confirmation. Sixteen benign (73%) and eleven atypical (52%) melanocytic nevi, and thirteen melanoma (56%) demonstrated BRAF mutations at codon 599, and no statistically significant differences were detected among all three types of lesions. No mutations were demonstrated in microdissected epidermal keratinocytes adjacent to melanocytic lesions having BRAF mutations. No correlation was detected between BPAF mutational status and age, sun exposure, and Clark's level in malignant melanoma. However, comparing only atypical nevi and melanoma lesions the frequency of BRAF mutation is significantly greater in male (78%) than female (35%) patients (P = 0.0194). The previously described T1796A point mutation was detected in 17 of 18 mutated samples, and a novel mutation consisting of a substitution of valine for lysine (GT1795-96AA) was detected in one melanoma case. Our findings of a high frequency of BRAF mutations at codon 599 in benign metanocytic lesions of the skin indicate that this mutation is not sufficient by itself for malignant transformation.
- ItemComparison of features of human breast cancer cell lines and their corresponding tumors(AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH, 1998) Wistuba, II; Behrens, C; Milchgrub, S; Syed, S; Ahmadian, M; Virmani, AK; Kurvari, V; Cunningham, TH; Ashfaq, R; Minna, JD; Gazdar, AFAlthough human tumor-derived cell lines play an important role in the investigation of cancer biology and genetics, there is no comprehensive study comparing tumor cell line properties with those of the individual tumors from which they were derived. We compared the properties of a series of 18 human breast cancer cell lines that were cultured for a median period of 25 months (range, 9-60 months) and their corresponding archival tumor tissues. We compared morphological characteristics, ploidy, and immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2/neu and p53 proteins. For 17 of these cases, we also tested for allelic losses at 18 chromosomal regions frequently deleted in breast tumors using 51 polymorphic microsatellite markers, and we determined the TP53 gene mutation status in exons 5 to 10, There was an excellent correlation between the breast tumor cell lines and their corresponding tumor tissues for morphological features (100%); presence of aneuploidy (87%); immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors (87%), progesterone receptors (73%), and HER2/neu (93%) and p53 proteins (100%); allelic loss at all of the chromosomal regions analyzed (82-100% concordance); and TP53 gene mutations (75%), The same parental allele was lost in 279 (99%) of 281 of the comparisons of allele losses. The fractional allelic loss indices (a reflection of the total allelic loss) of the cell lines and their corresponding tumor tissues were identical or similar in 15 (88%) of 17 paired comparisons, Although our previous studies (A, Gazdar et at, Int. J, Cancer, in press) indicated that only a subset of primary breast carcinomas that have several features indicative of advanced tumors with poor prognosis can be successfully cultured, the cell lines retain the properties of their parental tumors for lengthy culture periods and, thus, provide suitable model systems for biomedical studies.
- ItemComparison of features of human lung cancer cell lines and their corresponding tumors(AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH, 1999) Wistuba, II; Bryant, D; Behrens, C; Milchgrub, S; Virmani, AK; Ashfaq, R; Minna, JD; Gazdar, AFAlthough human lung tumor-derived cell lines play an important role in the investigation of lung cancer biology and genetics, there is no comprehensive study comparing the genotypic and phenotypic properties of lung cancer cell lines with those of the individual tumors from which they were derived, We compared a variety of properties of 12 human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines (cultured for a median period of 39 months; range, 12-69) and their corresponding archival tumor tissues. There was, in general, an excellent concordance between the lung tumor cell lines and their corresponding tumor tissues for morphology (100%), the presence of aneuploidy (100%), immunohistochemical expression of HER2/neu (100%) and p53 proteins (100%), loss of heterozygosity at 13 chromosomal regions analyzed (97%) using 37 microsatellite markers, microsatellite alterations (MAs, 75%), TP53 (67%), and K-ras (100%) gene mutations, In addition, there was 100% concordance for the parental allele lost in all 115 comparisons of allelic losses. Some discrepancies were found; more aneuploid subpopulations of cells were detected in the cell lines as well as higher incidences of TP53 mutations (4 of 10 mutations not found in the tumors) and microsatellite alterations (two cell lines with MAs not detected in the tumors). Similar loss of heterozygosity frequencies by chromosomal regions and mean fractional allelic loss index were detected between successfully cultured and 40 uncultured lung tumors (0.45 and 0.49, respectively), indicating that both groups were similar. Our findings indicate that the NSCLC cell lines in the large majority of instances retain the properties of their parental tumors for lengthy culture periods. NSCLC cell lines appear very representative of the lung cancer tumor from which they were derived and thus provide suitable model systems for biomedical studies of this important neoplasm.
- ItemComparison of molecular changes in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in HIV-positive and HIV-indeterminate subjects(ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE, 1999) Wistuba, II; Syed, S; Behrens, C; Duong, M; Milchgrub, S; Muller, CY; Jagirdar, J; Gazdar, AFObjective. HIV infection is associated with an increased incidence of cervical malignancy and its precursor lesions (CIN, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) compared with the general population. We studied the molecular abnormalities in the development of HIV-associated CIN and compared them with those present in CINs arising in HIV-indeterminate subjects ("sporadic CIN").
- ItemComparison of molecular changes in lung cancers in HIV-positive and HIV-indeterminate subjects(AMER MEDICAL ASSOC, 1998) Wistuba, II; Behrens, C; Milchgrub, S; Virmani, AK; Jagirdar, J; Thomas, B; Ioachim, HL; Litzky, LA; Brambilla, EM; Minna, JD; Gazdar, AFContext.-Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been associated with an increasing incidence of malignancy, and HIV-infected persons have an increased incidence of primary lung carcinoma compared with the general population,
- ItemDeletions of chromosome 3p are frequent and early events in the pathogenesis of uterine cervical carcinoma(AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH, 1997) Wistuba, II; Montellano, FD; Milchgrub, S; Virmani, AK; Behrens, C; Chen, HL; Ahmadian, M; Nowak, JA; Muller, C; Minna, JD; Gazdar, AFTo study the molecular abnormalities involved in the multistage development of cervical carcinoma (CC), we investigated the presence of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) sequences, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and microsatellite alterations at several genes/loci at 3p (3p14.2 at the FHIT gene, 3p14.3-21.1, 3p21, and 3p22-24.2), 9p21, RB and P53, and P53 gene point mutations in precisely microdissected archival tissues from 20 CCs and their accompanying precursor lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, CIN; n = 40) and normal epithelia (n = 20). In all HPV-positive cases (90% of CCs), HPV sequences were detected as the earliest appearing molecular change or simultaneously with other changes. LOH at any 3p region was found in 70% of CCs, and 3p14.2 (FHIT gene/FRA3B fragile site) (56%) and 3p21 (57%) were the most frequent 3p sites of loss. LOH at some 3p region was in the CIN I stage, and the 3p deletions in precursor CIN lesions were smaller than the 3p losses found in the associated invasive CC. LOH at the other regions studied and P53 gene mutations were less frequent and later events. Microsatellite alterations were detected in 35% of CCs, and identical abnormalities were detected in the associated precursor lesions. Although infection with oncogenic HPV strains is the earliest and most frequent molecular event, progressive deletions at one or more 3p regions (particularly at 3p14.2, and 3p21) are also frequent events occurring early in the pathogenesis of CC.
- ItemDifferential expression of FEZ1/LZTS1 gene in lung cancers and their cell cultures(AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH, 2002) Toyooka, S; Fukuyama, Y; Wistuba, II; Tockman, MS; Minna, JD; Gazdar, AFPurpose: The FEZ1/LZTS1 (FEZ1) gene, located on chromosome 8p22 (8p22), was identified recently as a candidate tumor suppressor gene. Because loss of heterozygosity at 8p21-22 is a frequent event in lung cancers, we studied FEZ1 alteration in short-term cultures of resected lung cancer tumors and cell lines.
- ItemDistinct K-ras mutation pattern characterizes signet ring cell colorectal carcinoma(AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH, 2003) Wistuba, II; Behrens, C; Albores Saavedra, J; Delgado, R; Lopez, F; Gazdar, AFPurpose: Signet ring cell colorectal carcinoma (SRCCC) represents a unique, infrequent, and highly malignant variant of colorectal cancer. To understand the pathogenesis of SRCCC, we investigated its molecular abnormalities and compared them with those of the usual type of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
- ItemExpression and regulation of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in gall bladder epithelium(BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, 2003) Miquel, JF; Moreno, M; Amigo, L; Molina, H; Mardones, P; Wistuba, II; Rigotti, ABackground and aims: Biliary lipid absorption by the gall bladder mucosa and the cholesterol content of the gall bladder wall appear to play a role in cholesterol gall stone formation. As the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) regulates cellular cholesterol uptake, we studied its expression in human and murine gall bladders, its regulation by increased biliary lipid content, and its role in gall stone formation.
- ItemGallbladder adenomas have molecular abnormalities different from those present in gallbladder carcinomas(1999) Wistuba, II; Miquel, JF; Gazdar, AF; Albores-Saavedra, JAlthough most gallbladder carcinomas evolve from dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, the role of gallbladder adenomas in the pathogenesis of gallbladder carcinoma is still controversial. A series of molecular changes including loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 17p (TP53 gene), 13q (RB gene), 18q (DCC gene), and 9p21 (CDKN2a gene) chromosomal regions have been identified in dysplasias, carcinomas in situ, and invasive carcinomas of the gallbladder, whereas mutations in K- and N-ras genes are rare. To determine whether the molecular abnormalities of adenomas are similar to those found in carcinomas, we obtained extracted DNA from precisely microdissected tissue from 16 gallbladder adenomas (14 pyloric and 2 intestinal-type). We determined the presence of mutations in TP53, K- and N-ras genes, and LOH at five chromosomal regions (5q22 APC-MCC region, RE, TP53, DCC and 9p21-CDKN2 alpha). For the TP53 mutation study, single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis in exons 4 to 8 were performed. K- and N-ras mutations detection was performed by designed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method and sequencing. Only a single LOH (at 5q22) was detected in a gallbladder adenoma of intestinal type. No mutations at the TP53 were detected. Four adenomas (25%) showed K-ras mutations (two in codon 12 and two in codon 61). We conclude that gallbladder adenoma lacks the molecular changes frequently detected in dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma of the gallbladder. Likewise the occurrence of K-ras mutations at codon 12 and 61 in 25% of adenomas strongly suggests that these lesions are not precursors of invasive gallbladder carcinoma. HUM PATHOL 30:21-25. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.
- ItemGenome-wide allelotyping analysis reveals multiple sites of allelic loss in gallbladder carcinoma(AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH, 2001) Wistuba, II; Tang, MY; Maitra, A; Alvarez, H; Troncoso, P; Pimental, F; Gazdar, AFAlthough gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a highly malignant neoplasm, there is very limited information about the molecular changes involved in its pathogenesis. To identify the chromosomal locations of putative tumor suppressor gene loci Involved in the pathogenesis of GBC, we conducted a genome-wide allelotyping or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis of GBCs. Microdissected tissue from 24 archival GBCs and their matched control DNAs were analyzed for PCR-based LOH using 169 microsatellite markers spanning all nonacrocentric autosomal arms and the X chromosome. The chromosomal arms with the greatest frequencies of LOH (greater than or equal to 60%) were 3p, 6q, 7q, 8p, 9p, 9q, 11q, 12q, 17p, 18q, 19p, 22q, and Xq. The average fractional allele loss index in GBC cases was high (0.43) and frequent breakpoints were detected in gallbladder tumors. Of interest, 21 different regions of frequent LOH (hot spots) defined as greater than or equal to 50% for individual GBC samples were detected in this neoplasm, nearly half of them confined to one microsatellite marker. We conclude that in GBC at least 21 chromosomal regions with frequent allele losses are involved, suggesting that several putative tumor suppressor genes are inactivated in its pathogenesis. Overall, these data provide global estimates of the extent of genetic changes leading to GBC and will be useful for the identification of new tumor suppressor genes and for multiple new markers for translational research.
- ItemHigh resolution chromosome 3p allelotyping of human lung cancer and preneoplastic/preinvasive bronchial epithelium reveals multiple, discontinuous sites of 3p allele loss and three regions of frequent breakpoints(2000) Wistuba, II; Behrens, C; Virmani, AK; Mele, G; Milchgrub, S; Girard, L; Fondon, JW; Garner, HR; McKay, B; Latif, F; Lerman, MI; Lam, S; Gazdar, AF; Minna, JDAllele loss involving chromosome arm 3p is one of the most frequent and earliest known genetic events in lung cancer pathogenesis and may affect several potential tumor suppressor gene regions. To Further study the role of chromosome 3p allele loss in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, we performed high resolution toss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies on 97 lung cancer and 54 preneoplastic/preinvasive microdissected respiratory epithelial samples using a panel of 28 3p markers. Allelic losses of 3p were detected in 96% of the lung cancers and in 78% of the preneoplastic/ preinvasive lesions. The allele losses were often multiple and discontinuous, with areas of LOH interspersed with areas of retention of heterozygosity, Most small cell lung carcinomas (91%) and squamous cell carcinomas (95%) demonstrated larger 3p segments of allele loss, whereas most (71%) of the adenocarcinomas and preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions had smaller chromosome areas of 3p allele loss. There was a progressive increase in the frequency and size of 3p allele loss regions with increasing severity of histopathological preneoplastic/preinvasive changes. In analyses of the specific parental allele lost comparing 42 preneoplastic/preinvasive foci with those lost in the lung cancer in the same patient (n = 10), the same parental allele was lost in 88% of 244 comparisons for 28 3p markers (P = 1.2 x 10(-36) for this occurring by chance). This indicates the occurrence of allele-specific loss in these foci similar to that seen in the tumor by a currently unknown mechanism. Analysis of all of the data indicated multiple regions of localized 3p allele loss including telomere-D3S1597, D3S1111-D3S2432, D3S2432-D3S1537, D3S1537, D3S1537-D3S1612, D3S4604/Luca19.1-D3S4622/Luca4.1, D3S4624/Luca2.1, D3S4624/ Luca2.1-D3S1582, D3S1766, D3S1234-D3S1300 (FHIT/FRA3B region centered on D3S1300), D3S1284-D3S1577 (U2020/DUTT1 region centered on D351274), and D3S1511-centromere. A panel of six markers in the 600-kb 3p21.3 deletion region showed loss in 77% of the lung cancers, 70% of normal or preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions associated with lung cancer, and 49% of 47 normal, mildly abnormal, or preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions found in smokers without lung cancer; however, loss was seen in 0% of 18 epithelial samples from seven never smokers. The 600-kh 3p21.3 region and the 3p14.2 (FHIT/FRA3B) and 3p12 (U2020/DUTT1) regions were common, independent sites of breakpoints (retention of heterozygosity by some markers and LOH by other markers in the immediate region), We conclude that 3p allele loss Is nearly universal in lung cancer pathogenesis; involves multiple, discrete, 3p LOH sites that often show a "discontinuous LOH" pattern in individual tumors; occurs in preneoplastic/preinvasive lesions in smokers with and without lung cancer (multiple lesions often Lose the same parental allele); frequently involves breakpoints in at least three very small defined genomic regions; and appears to have allele Loss and breakpoints first occurring in the 600-kb 3p21.3 region. These findings are consistent with previously reported LOH studies in a variety of tumors showing allele loss occurring by mitotic recombination and induced by oxidative damage.
- ItemHigh-resolution chromosome 3p allelotyping of breast carcinomas and precursor lesions demonstrates frequent loss of heterozygosity and a discontinuous pattern of allele loss(2001) Maitra, A; Wistuba, II; Washington, C; Virmani, AK; Ashfaq, R; Milchgrub, S; Gazdar, AF; Minna, JDWe performed high-resolution allelotyping for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis on microdissected samples from 45 primary breast cancers, 47 mammary preneoplastic epithelial foci, and 18 breast cancer cell Lines, using a panel of 27 polymorphic chromosome 3p markers. Allele loss in some regions of chromosome 3p was detected in 39 of 45 (87%) primary breast tumors. The 3p21.3 region had the highest frequency of LOH (69%), followed by 3p22-24 (61%), 3p21.2-21.3 (58%), 3p25 (48%), 3p14.2 (45%), 3p14.3 (41%), and 3p12 (35%). Analysis of all of the data revealed at least nine discrete intervals showing frequent allele loss: D3S1511-D3S1284 (U2020/DUTT1 region centered on D3S1274 with a homozygous deletion), D3S1300-D3S1234 [fragile histidine triad (FHIT)/FRA3B region centered on D3S1300 with a homozygous deletion], D3S1076-D3S1573, D3S4624/ Luca2.1-D3S4597/P1.5, D3S1478-D3S1029, D3S1029 (with a homozygous deletion), D3S1612-D3S1537, D3S1233-D3S1597, and D3S1597-telomere; it is more than likely that additional localized regions of LOH not examined in this study also exist on chromosome 3p. In multiple cases, there was discontinuous allele loss at several 3p sites in the same tumor. Twenty-one of 47 (45%) preneoplastic lesions demonstrated 3p LOH, including 12 of 13 (92%) ductal carcinoma in situ, 2 of 7 (29%) apocrine metaplasia, and 7 of 25 (28%) usual epithelial hyperplasia. The 3p21.3 region had the highest frequency of LOH in preneoplastic breast epithelium (36%), followed by 3p21.2-21.3 (20%), 3p14.2/FHIT region (11%), 3p25 (10%), and 3p22-24 (5%). In 39 3p loci showing LOH in both the tumor and accompanying preneoplasia, 34 (87%) showed loss of the same parental allele (P = 1.2 x 10(-6), cumulative binomial test). In addition, when 21 preneoplastic samples showing LOH were compared to their accompanying cancers, 67% were clonally related, 20% were potentially clonally related but were divergent, and 13% were clonally unrelated. Overall this demonstrated the high likelihood of clonal relatedness of the preneoplastic foci to the tumors. We conclude that: chromosome 3p allele loss is a common event in breast carcinoma pathogenesis; involves multiple, localized sites that often show discontinuous LOH with intervening markers retaining heterozygosity; and is seen in early preneoplastic stages, which demonstrate clonal relatedness to the invasive cancer.
- ItemIdentification of novel cellular targets in biliary tract cancers using global gene expression technology(2003) Hansel, DE; Rahman, A; Hidalgo, M; Thuluvath, PJ; Lillemoe, KD; Shulick, R; Ku, JL; Park, JG; Miyazaki, K; Ashfaq, R; Wistuba, II; Varma, R; Hawthorne, L; Geradts, J; Argani, P; Maitra, ABiliary tract carcinoma carries a poor prognosis, and difficulties with clinical management in patients with advanced disease are often due to frequent late-stage diagnosis, lack of serum markers, and limited information regarding biliary tumor pathogenesis. RNA-based global analyses of gene expression have led to the identification of a large number of up-regulated genes in several cancer types. We have used the recently developed Affymetrix U133A gene expression microarrays containing nearly 22,000 unique transcripts to obtain global gene expression profiles from normal biliary epithelial scrapings (n = 5), surgically resected biliary carcinoma (n = 11), and biliary cancer cell lines (n = 9). Microarray hybridization data were normalized using dCHIP (http://www.dCHW.org) to identify differentially up-regulated genes in primary biliary cancers and biliary cancer cell lines and their expression profiles was compared to that of normal epithelial scrapings using the dCHIP software as well as Significance Analysis of Microarrays or SAM (http://wwwstat.stanford.edu/-tibs/SAM/). Comparison of the dCHIP and SAM datasets revealed an overlapping list of 282 genes expressed at greater than threefold levels in the cancers compared to normal epithelium (t-test P <0.1 in dCHIP, and median false discovery rate <10 in SAM). Several pathways integral to tumorigenesis were up-regulated in the biliary cancers, including proliferation and cell cycle antigens (eg, cyclins D2 and E2, cdc2/p34, and geminin), transcription factors (eg, homeobox B7 and islet-1), growth factors and growth factor receptors (eg, hepatocyte growth factor, amphiregulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor), and enzymes modulating sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents (eg, eystatbionine beta synthase, dCMP deaminase, and CTP synthase). in addition, we identified several "pathway" genes that are rapidly emerging as novel therapeutic targets in cancer (eg, cytosolic phospholipase A2, an upstream target of the cyclooxygenase pathway, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E, two important downstream mediators of the mitogenic Akt/mTOR signaling pathway). Overexpression of selected up-regulated genes was confirmed in tissue microarrays of biliary cancers by immunohistochemical analysis (n = 4) or in situ hybridization (n = 1), and in biliary cancer cell lines by reverse transcriptase PCR (n = 2). The majority of genes identified in the present study has not been previously reported in biliary cancers, and represent novel potential screening and therapeutic targets of this cancer type.
- ItemMicrosatellite analysis of synchronous and metachronous tumors - A tool for double primary tumor and metastasis assessment(2003) Tang, MY; Pires, Y; Schultz, M; Duarte, I; Gallegos, M; Wistuba, IIDespite well-established histopathological features and the development of immunostaining of human neoplasms, there are a number of cases in which surgical pathologists cannot assure the origin of synchronous and metachronous tumors. In many cases, the classification of these lesions as either two separate primary tumors or as a single primary tumor with a metastasis has significant implications with respect to patient prognosis and recommendations for therapy. To establish the origin of tumors, we assessed tumor cell clonality using PCR-based microsatellite analysis on microdissected archival tissues for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (NISI) in a series of 19 paired synchronous and metachronous tumors from several organs. As a control group, 15 autopsy cases with an unequivocally recognizable primary tumor and associated metastases were also examined. Based on LOH and MSI findings, and using a panel of 4 to 12 (median 7) microsatellite markers, we were able to establish the clonal pattern of microsatellite changes in 17 out of 19 (89%) biopsy cases and thus determine if they were either double primary tumors (41%) or metastases (59%). Of interest, identical or similar pattern of microsatellite abnormalities were detected in 15 primary tumors and corresponding metastasis from autopsies. Our results indicate that microsatellite analysis for LOH and MSL as an expression of clonality, provides a useful tool to distinguish double primary neoplasms and metastases in synchronous and metachronous tumors.
- ItemMicrosatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity have distinct prognostic value for testicular germ cell tumor recurrence(TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC, 2004) Velasco, A; Riquelme, E; Schultz, M; Wistuba, II; Villarroel, L; Koh, MS; Leach, FSGerm cell tumor (GCT) is the most common genitourinary malignancy of men between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Therapy is ultimately successful in over 90% of patients, however significant morbidity and mortality can be associated with adjuvant treatment and relapse. Molecular markers that predict treatment response and/or poor outcome would have immediate clinical benefit since adjuvant treatment could be selectively reserved for patients at higher risk for relapse and those patients most likely to respond to treatment. In order to identify potential prognostic molecular markers, we evaluated 118 GCT for microsatellite instability (MSI), loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and MSH2 immunostaining to identify tumors associated with relapse and/or poor outcome following initial surgical, medical and/or radiation therapy.
- ItemMismatch repair gene expression and genetic instability in testicular germ cell tumor(2004) Velasco, A; Riquelme, E; Schultz, M; Wistuba, II; Villarroel, L; Pizarro, J; Berlin, A; Ittmann, M; Koh, MS; Leach, FSHuman mismatch repair (MMR) genes encode highly conserved interacting proteins that correct replication errors predisposing to hereditary gastrointestinal and genitourinary malignancies. A subset of sporadic genitourinary tumors also exhibits MMR deficiency and can be identified by measuring the frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI) in cancer cell DNA. We investigated expression of the two most commonly mutated MMR genes, MSH2 and MLH1, in sporadic testicular germ cell tumor (GCT) in order to: (1) determine the expression pattern of MSH2 and MLH1 proteins in normal seminiferous tubules and histologically distinct GCT subtypes, (2) correlate MMR gene expression with genetic instability in GCT and (3) develop a panel of molecular markers that can identify genetically distinct subsets of GCT for prognostic assessment.
- ItemMolecular abnormalities associated with endocrine tumors of the uterine cervix(ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE, 1999) Wistuba, II; Thomas, B; Behrens, C; Onuki, N; Lindberg, G; Albores Saavedra, J; Gazdar, AFObjective. We studied the molecular abnormalities involved in the pathogenesis of endocrine tumors of the uterine cervix.