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Role of FHIT in human cancer

C M Croce1, G Sozzi, K Huebner

  • 1The Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5799, USA.

Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
|May 20, 1999
PubMed

Insights

The FHIT gene, located at chromosome 3p14.2, is inactivated in epithelial cancers, especially those linked to environmental carcinogens. Its expression levels may offer crucial diagnostic and prognostic insights for cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The FHIT (Fragile Histidine Triad) gene is located at chromosome 3p14.2, a region frequently altered in various human cancers.
  • Tumorigenesis involves genetic alterations, including gene inactivation, particularly in epithelial malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clone and characterize the FHIT gene and investigate its role in cancer development.
  • To determine the significance of FHIT gene alterations in epithelial tumors, especially those related to environmental exposures.
  • To evaluate the potential of FHIT expression as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in premalignant and malignant tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of hemizygous and homozygous deletions in human cancer tissues.
  • Cloning and characterization of the FHIT gene.
  • Immunohistochemical detection of Fhit protein expression in premalignant and malignant tissues.

Main Results:

  • The FHIT gene was identified and characterized at chromosome region 3p14.2.
  • FHIT is inactivated in epithelial tumors, with alterations occurring early in cancers linked to environmental carcinogens.
  • In some cancers, Fhit inactivation appears to be a later event, potentially correlating with tumor progression and aggressiveness.

Conclusions:

  • FHIT gene inactivation is implicated in the development of various epithelial cancers.
  • The timing of FHIT inactivation may differ depending on the cancer type and its association with environmental factors.
  • Assessing Fhit expression via immunohistochemistry could yield valuable diagnostic and prognostic information for cancer management.

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