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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Published on: September 18, 2020
Characteristic gene expression in stromal cells of gastric cancers among atomic-bomb survivors
Naohide Oue1, Kazuhiro Sentani, Naoya Sakamoto
1Department of Molecular Pathology, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan.
Abstract:
To elucidate the mechanism of radiation-induced cancers, molecular analysis of cancers in atomic-bomb survivors is important. In our study, we developed a custom oligonucleotide array of 208 genes. We analyzed gene expression profiles of gastric cancers (GCs) from atomic-bomb survivors and identified 9 genes with significantly lower expression in GCs from exposed patients than in GCs from nonexposed patients. Among these 9 genes, expression of versican and osteonectin was investigated in greater detail using immunohistochemistry in 116 GCs from 64 exposed and 52 nonexposed patients who developed GC after the bombing. In the Stage I/II GCs, the clinicopathologic, phenotypic and proliferative characteristics of GCs from exposed and nonexposed patients did not differ significantly; however, versican and osteonectin were expressed at much lower levels in the area of tumor-associated stroma of exposed patients than in nonexposed patients (p = 0.026 and p = 0.024, respectively). These results suggest that the characteristics of tumor-associated stromal cells differ between GCs from exposed and nonexposed patients.
Insights
Molecular analysis of gastric cancers in atomic-bomb survivors revealed lower expression of versican and osteonectin in tumor stroma of exposed patients. This suggests differences in stromal cell characteristics may be linked to radiation exposure and cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Radiation Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding radiation-induced cancers is crucial for public health.
- Molecular analysis of cancers in atomic-bomb survivors provides insights into radiation's carcinogenic mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate molecular differences in gastric cancers (GCs) from atomic-bomb survivors.
- To identify specific genes and cellular characteristics associated with radiation exposure in GCs.
Main Methods:
- Developed a custom oligonucleotide array targeting 208 genes.
- Analyzed gene expression profiles of GCs from exposed and nonexposed atomic-bomb survivors.
- Utilized immunohistochemistry to examine versican and osteonectin expression in tumor stroma.
Main Results:
- Identified 9 genes with significantly lower expression in GCs from exposed survivors.
- Versican and osteonectin showed significantly lower expression in the tumor-associated stroma of GCs from exposed patients (p = 0.026 and p = 0.024).
- No significant differences in clinicopathologic, phenotypic, or proliferative characteristics were observed in Stage I/II GCs between exposed and nonexposed groups.
Conclusions:
- Tumor-associated stromal cells exhibit distinct characteristics in gastric cancers from atomic-bomb survivors.
- Reduced expression of versican and osteonectin in the stroma may be a molecular signature of radiation-induced gastric cancer.
