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Molecular genetic changes in human epithelial ovarian malignancies
H H Gallion1, D E Powell, J K Morrow
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536.
Gynecologic Oncology
|November 11, 1992
Summary
Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in ovarian tumors indicates tumor-suppressor genes. Frequent LOH on chromosomes 13q and 17p suggests early events in ovarian cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in tumor DNA compared to normal DNA suggests the presence of tumor-suppressor genes.
- Ovarian epithelial tumors are a significant cause of cancer-related mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of allelic losses on specific chromosomal markers in primary ovarian epithelial tumors.
- To identify potential tumor-suppressor genes involved in ovarian tumorigenesis.
Main Methods:
- Southern blot analysis was used to examine 34 primary ovarian epithelial tumors.
- Six probes for chromosomes 6q, 11p, 13q, 16q, and 17p were employed to detect tumor-specific allelic losses.
Main Results:
- A high incidence of LOH was observed on chromosomes 11p, 13q, and 17p.
- LOH for 17p was found in 75% of benign, 20% of borderline, and 67% of invasive ovarian tumors.
- Allelic loss on 11p (H-ras1 probe) was present in 53% of invasive tumors, while LOH on 13q was found in 58% of informative cases, including 80% of Stage 1 tumors.
Conclusions:
- Loss of tumor-suppressor genes on chromosomes 13q and 17p may represent early events in ovarian tumorigenesis.
- Alterations on chromosome 11p appear to be later events in the development of ovarian cancer.