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Detection of the PTC/retTPC oncogene in human thyroid cancers
S M Jhiang1, D R Caruso, E Gilmore
1Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Oncogene
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Rearrangements in the ret proto-oncogene were found in 11% of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PCs). This ret proto-oncogene rearrangement may be linked to the development of distant metastases in PC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The ret proto-oncogene plays a role in thyroid development and cancer.
- Specific rearrangements of the ret proto-oncogene can lead to oncogenic activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of ret proto-oncogene rearrangements in thyroid malignancies.
- To determine if these rearrangements are associated with clinical outcomes, specifically distant metastases.
Main Methods:
- Southern blot analysis to screen for rearrangements in thyroid tissues.
- Genomic breakpoint cloning and sequencing.
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect chimeric transcripts.
Main Results:
- Ret proto-oncogene rearrangements were detected in 11% (4/36) of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PCs).
- Genomic breakpoints were identified within an intron of the ret gene.
- PTC/retTPC chimeric transcripts were found in two PCs with rearrangements.
- Distant metastases were observed in 50% of PCs with rearrangements versus 6.25% without (P=0.05).
Conclusions:
- The rearrangement of the ret proto-oncogene is implicated in a subset of papillary thyroid carcinomas.
- Ret proto-oncogene rearrangement may contribute to the development of distant metastases in PC patients.
- Further clinical studies are needed to validate these findings.