Low-frequency mutation of Ha-ras and Ki-ras oncogenes in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

BACKGROUND, PATIENTS AND METHODS: The objective was to study the frequency of mutations of Ha-ras and Ki-ras oncogenes in bladder tumours. Transitional cell tumours of the bladder from 55 patients were subjected to analyses of Ha-ras and Ki-ras oncogenes using a variety of techniques including sequencing to detect mutations.

Two tumours (4%) exhibited mutation of the Ki-ras oncogene, both tumours were fast growing and invasive. We did not detect Ha-ras mutation in any of the samples. Nineteen tumours (35%) with established invasion of the detrusor muscle, did not reveal any mutation.

Analyses of ras oncogenes seem to be of limited value for the biological assessment of transitional cell carcinomas.