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A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
06:35

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth

Published on: December 22, 2020

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2, gain-of-function mutations, and tumourigenesis: investigating a potential link

Ruth M S Hansen1, Anne Goriely, Steven A Wall

  • 1Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.

The Journal of Pathology
|July 13, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Activating fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) mutations are not common in tumors. This study found no evidence of dominant FGFR2 mutations in various tumor cell lines or testicular germ cell tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Activating germline mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) genes cause skeletal disorders.
  • FGFR3 mutations are found in both inherited disorders and tumors.
  • The role of FGFR2 mutations in cancer is not well-defined, despite their known association with congenital syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) mutations in various tumor types.
  • To determine if gain-of-function FGFR2 mutations contribute to tumorigenesis, particularly in testicular germ cell tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 58 tumor cell lines and 29 testicular germ cell tumor samples.
  • Utilized denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), DNA sequencing, and restriction digestion to detect FGFR2 mutations.

Main Results:

  • Sequence variations and allelic imbalance in FGFR2 were identified.
  • No previously documented dominant gain-of-function FGFR2 mutations were found in any of the examined tumor types.
  • This suggests FGFR2 mutations do not commonly drive tumor formation.

Conclusions:

  • Gain-of-function FGFR2 mutations are not frequently observed in tumorigenesis.
  • FGFR2 mutations do not appear to play a significant role in the development of testicular germ cell tumors.

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