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Amplification of fgfr4 gene in human breast and gynecological cancers
S Jaakkola1, P Salmikangas, S Nylund
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Abstract:
We have investigated gene amplification of fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 (FGFR4) gene in 30 primary breast tumor samples and 15 gynecological tumor samples. Ten percent of the breast tumors showed 2- to 4-fold amplification. Amplification was found more frequently in estrogen- and progesterone-receptor-positive tumors and in tumors with high lymph-node involvement. Breast tumor samples were also analyzed for the amplification of fgfr3 and erbB2 genes and the chromosome 11q13 located genes hst1/int2/bcl1/sea. erbB2 gene was amplified 2- to 13-fold in 13% of the cases, but no amplification of int2/hst1/bcl1/sea amplicon was found. Gynecological tumors were also analyzed for the amplification of fgfr4 and fgfr3 genes and for int2 and hst1 oncogenes. Eleven of the 15 gynecological tumors were ovarian neoplasms including 2 benign tumors; the remainder comprised 1 ovarian metastasis of breast cancer; 1 endometrial cancer; 1 uterine leiomyosarcoma and 1 carcinosarcoma of the fallopian tube. In gynecological tumors, fgfr4 gene was found to be amplified in 2 ovarian tumors. Amplification of hst1 was found in 1 benign ovarian tumor. Thus, the fgfr4 gene may be involved in breast and ovarian tumorigenesis.
Insights
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 (FGFR4) gene amplification occurred in 10% of breast tumors and some ovarian tumors. FGFR4 amplification may play a role in breast and ovarian cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Gene amplification is a key mechanism in cancer development.
- Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are implicated in various cancers.
- FGFR4's role in breast and gynecological tumorigenesis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and significance of fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 (FGFR4) gene amplification in breast and gynecological tumors.
- To analyze FGFR4 amplification in relation to tumor characteristics.
- To explore the potential involvement of FGFR4 in tumorigenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene amplification using tumor samples from 30 primary breast and 15 gynecological cases.
- Investigated amplification of FGFR4, FGFR3, erbB2, and chromosome 11q13 genes (hst1/int2/bcl1/sea).
- Correlated gene amplification with clinicopathological features such as hormone receptor status and lymph-node involvement.
Main Results:
- FGFR4 gene amplification (2- to 4-fold) was observed in 10% of breast tumors.
- FGFR4 amplification was more frequent in estrogen/progesterone-receptor-positive tumors with high lymph-node involvement.
- FGFR4 amplification was detected in two ovarian tumors; hst1 amplification in one benign ovarian tumor.
Conclusions:
- FGFR4 gene amplification is present in a subset of breast and ovarian tumors.
- FGFR4 may contribute to the development of breast and ovarian cancers.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of FGFR4 in tumorigenesis.