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[Evaluation of Ron and Met proto-oncogene expression in epithelial ovarian tumors]
S Fracchioli1, D Katsaros, P Maggiora
1Dipartimento di Discipline Ostetriche e Ginecologiche, Università degli Studi, Torino.
Background:
Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic neoplasia. Up to date, little is known about its biology, and this makes even more difficult the definition of new therapies and the finding of early diagnostic methods. In this study, the expression of two oncogenes, Ron and Met, whose role in cancer progression has already been shown, and the possible clinical implication of their presence in the neoplastic tissue have been evaluated.
Methods:
Forty-eight ovarian cancer specimens, 5 borderline lesions, 4 benign ovarian tumors and 2 normal ovaries were analyzed; from frozen tissue, Rna was extracted and cDna obtained by a RT-PCR (Retrotranscriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction). Finally, the cDna was assayed for the presence of the Ron and the Met gene by another PCR. The results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters, and patient survival.
Results:
Ron expression was shown in 56% of malignant lesions, and in 60% of borderline ones, while Met expression was detected in 54 and 60%, respectively. No statistically significant correlation was found between Ron and Met expression and clinicopathological features, such as histotype, grading, staging, residual tumor after debulking surgery, and response to chemotherapy, while a strong correlation (p = 0.001) was observed between overexpression of one of the oncogenes and the concomitant expression of the other.
Conclusions:
Even if residual tumor after debulking surgery was the most relevant prognostic factor, this study showed new data about the concomitant expression of Ron and Met oncogenes, which may suggest their cooperative role in ovarian cancer progression.
Insights
This study investigated the expression of Ron and Met oncogenes in ovarian cancer. Concomitant expression of these oncogenes was significantly correlated, suggesting a cooperative role in ovarian cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gynecologic Oncology
Background:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly lethal gynecologic neoplasia with poorly understood biology, hindering the development of new therapies and early diagnostic methods.
- The roles of the oncogenes Ron and Met in cancer progression are established, prompting an investigation into their expression and clinical implications in ovarian neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression of Ron and Met oncogenes in various ovarian tissue types.
- To determine the clinical implications of Ron and Met expression in ovarian cancer patients.
- To explore the potential cooperative role of Ron and Met in ovarian cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 48 ovarian cancer specimens, 5 borderline lesions, 4 benign tumors, and 2 normal ovaries.
- RNA extraction from frozen tissue, followed by cDNA synthesis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect Ron and Met gene expression.
- Correlation of gene expression results with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival data.
Main Results:
- Ron and Met oncogene expression was detected in 56% and 54% of malignant ovarian lesions, respectively.
- A strong correlation (p = 0.001) was observed between the overexpression of Ron and the concomitant expression of Met.
- No statistically significant correlation was found between Ron/Met expression and histotype, grading, staging, residual tumor, or chemotherapy response.
Conclusions:
- While residual tumor after surgery is a key prognostic factor, the concomitant expression of Ron and Met oncogenes provides new insights.
- The findings suggest a potential cooperative role for Ron and Met oncogenes in the progression of ovarian cancer.
- Further research into the dual function of these oncogenes may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer.