Codon 61 of the N-ras oncogene was screened for mutations in 99 surgically resected thyroid carcinomas by a polymerase chain resection (PCR)-based method (PCR-primer introduced restriction with enrichment of mutant alleles [PCR-PIREMA]). A point mutation of the N-ras oncogene at the codon 61 was detected in 16 of 99 (16.2%) thyroid carcinomas examined by this method. No RAS alteration was detected in the group of 11 medullary thyroid carcinomas, while 3 of 31 (10.0%) papillary carcinomas, 2 of 5 (40%) follicular carcinomas, 8 of 44 (18.2%) poorly differentiated carcinomas, and 3 of 5 (60%) undifferentiated carcinomas showed an activation of N-RAS proto-oncogene. Interestingly, two primary follicular tumors and their corresponding bone metastases, showed N-ras mutations. In the same cases we evaluated the expression of thyroglobulin by immunohistochemical analysis. Although the majority of well-differentiated carcinomas expressed a high level of thyroglobulin, the expression of the same antigen was absent or only occasional weakly positive in 33 of 44 poorly differentiated carcinomas. Interestingly, N-ras mutation was restricted to the group of tumours with low or absent thyroglobulin expression, suggesting that this genetic change is prevalent in less differentiated tumors.
Autori interni: | |
Autori: | Basolo F; Pisaturo F; Pollina LE; Fontanini G; Elisei R; Molinaro E; Iacconi P; Miccoli P; Pacini F. |
Titolo: | N-ras mutation in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas: correlation with bone metastases and inverse correlation to thyroglobulin expression |
Anno del prodotto: | 2000 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.1089/thy.2000.10.19 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 1.1 Articolo in rivista |