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Published on: October 27, 2014
Upregulation of Wilms' tumour gene 1 (WT1) in uterine sarcomas
A Coosemans1, S Amini Nik, S Caluwaerts
1Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), UZ Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Aim:
Overexpression of Wilms' tumour gene (WT1) has been proven in several tumours. Previous research of our group on the cell cycle of uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and carcinosarcoma (CS) suggested a possible role for WT1. We therefore intended to further explore the expression pattern of WT1 in uterine sarcomas.
Methods:
27 CS, 38 LMS, 15 endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) and seven undifferentiated sarcomas (US) were collected. WT1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 87 samples, by RT-PCR (m-RNA expression) in 23 random selected samples and by Western blotting in 12 samples, separating cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. A pilot study to detect mutations (exons 7-10) was performed on eight samples.
Results:
IHC showed WT1 positivity in 12/27 CS, 29/38 LMS, 7/15 ESS and 4/7 US. All-but-one sample had a positive RT-PCR. All Western blottings were positive with more cytoplasmic expression in 9/12 cases. No mutations were found.
Conclusions:
WT1 is overexpressed in uterine sarcomas. Since increased levels of mRNA determine the biological role, WT1 might contribute to uterine sarcoma tumour biology.
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