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D Sidransky

Publications and source records attributed to D Sidransky.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A putative oncogenic role for MPP11 in head and neck squamous cell cancer.

Genetic alterations of chromosome 7 are common in human cancer. Furthermore, previous studies have supported the presence of a gene important in a broad range of cancers at 7q22-31.1. There is evidence that supports an oncogenic function for this putative gene, as well as evidence that supports a tumor suppressive role. In this study, we used a cross-species candidate gene approach in combination with physical mapping to identify MPP11 as a candidate for the putative cancer-related activity at 7q22-31.1. We then analyzed primary head and neck squamous cell tumors (HNSCCs) for loss of heterozygosity/allelic imbalance (LOH/AI) at the MPP11 genomic locus. Thirty-eight percent of tumors examined displayed LOH/AI involving the MPP11 genomic locus. Mutation analysis of MPP11 in the latter samples did not identify any inactivating mutations. However, immunohistochemical staining of primary tumor sections and Western blot analysis of HNSCC cell lines revealed a tumor-specific high level of expression of MPP11p. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis done on the cell lines identified increased chromosome 7 copy number with a concomitant increase in MPP11 copy number. These results suggest an oncogenic role for MPP11 in HNSCC.

Alleles↗

Analysis of adenomatous polyposis coli promoter hypermethylation in human cancer.

Germ-line mutations in the tumor suppressor gene APC are associated with hereditary familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and somatic mutations are common in sporadic colorectal tumors. We now report that methylation in the promoter region of this gene constitutes an alternative mechanism for gene inactivation in colon and other tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The APC promoter is hypermethylated in 18% of primary sporadic colorectal carcinomas (n = 108) and adenoma (n = 48), and neoplasia with APC methylation fails to express the APC transcript. Methylation affects only wild-type APC in 95% of cases and is not observed in tumors from FAP patients who have germ-line APC mutations. As with APC mutation, aberrant APC methylation occurs early in colorectal carcinogenesis. When other tumor types are analyzed (n = 208), methylation of the APC promoter is not restricted to the colon but is present in tumors originating elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract but rarely in other tumors. Our data suggest that hypermethylation of APC provides an important mechanism for impairing APC function and further underscores the importance of the APC pathway in gastrointestinal tumorigenesis.

Alleles↗

Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking increase the frequency of p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between tobacco use and lung cancer; however, the genetic targets of these carcinogens and the role of other environmental agents in this process have yet to be defined. We examined the contribution of alcohol use and cigarette smoking top53 gene mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Mutations of the p53 gene were detected by sequence analysis in 105 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Patient characteristics significantly associated with p53 gene mutations were determined using logistic regression. Mutations in the p53 gene were present in 53% of the patients (56 of 105). p53 mutations were more common in patients who used alcohol than in patients who consumed less than one drink per day (72 versus 39%; P = 0.003), and were detected more often smokers than nonsmokers (58% versus 10%, P = 0.02). Mutations in the p53 gene were present more often (P = 0.01) in alcohol drinkers who smoked cigarettes [76% (31 of 41)], than in nondrinkers (<1 drink per day) who smoked cigarettes [42% (20 of 48)] or in nondrinkers who did not smoke [14% (1 of 7)]. In conclusion, alcohol consumption and tobacco use are both associated with p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. The link between exposure to both alcohol and tobacco and p53 mutations raises the possibility that alcohol may enhance the mutagenic effects of cigarette smoke in the lung.

Aged↗

Frequent gain of the p40/p51/p63 gene locus in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

We have identified a new human p53 homologue, p40 (p51/p63). This gene was mapped to the distal arm of 3q and was found to be essential for normal epithelial development. We used microsatellite and FISH analyses to search for genetic alterations of p40 in primary HNSCC. A more precise localization of p40 was completed using 6 known markers on 3q and a newly isolated microsatellite marker within the p40 gene. We also determined the genomic organization of the p40 gene using human YAC and BAC clones. Microsatellite analysis revealed that 14 of 26 (54%) primary HNSCC had allelic imbalance in at least 1 of the 7 microsatellite loci. However, FISH analysis with a p40 probe showed that a majority of HNSCC had an increased copy number of the locus regardless of allelic status. Thus, overrepresentation of the p40 locus may play an important role in the development of HNSCC.

Alleles↗

AIS is an oncogene amplified in squamous cell carcinoma.

We and others recently isolated a human p53 homologue (p40/p51/p63/p73L) and localized the gene to the distal long arm of chromosome 3. Here we sought to examine the role of p40/p73L, two variants lacking the N-terminal transactivation domain, in cancer. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed frequent amplification of this gene locus in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and head and neck cancer cell lines. (We named this locus AIS for amplified in squamous cell carcinoma.) Furthermore, amplification of the AIS locus was accompanied by RNA and protein overexpression of a variant p68(AIS) lacking the terminal transactivation domain. Protein overexpression in primary lung tumors was limited to squamous cell carcinoma and tumors known to harbor a high frequency of p53 mutations. Overexpression of p40(AIS) in Rat 1a cells led to an increase in soft agar growth and tumor size in mice. Our results support the idea that AIS plays an oncogenic role in human cancer.

Alternative Splicing↗

Evidence for a causal association between human papillomavirus and a subset of head and neck cancers.

BACKGROUND: High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are etiologic agents for anogenital tract cancers and have been detected in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). We investigated, retrospectively, an etiologic role for HPVs in a large series of patients with HNSCC. METHODS: Tumor tissues from 253 patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent HNSCC were tested for the presence of HPV genome by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, Southern blot hybridization, and in situ hybridization. The viral E6 coding region was sequenced to confirm the presence of tumor-specific viral isolates. Exons 5-9 of the TP53 gene were sequenced from 166 specimens. The hazard of death from HNSCC in patients with and without HPV-positive tumors was determined by proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: HPV was detected in 62 (25%) of 253 cases (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19%-30%). High-risk, tumorigenic type HPV16 was identified in 90% of the HPV-positive tumors. HPV16 was localized specifically by in situ hybridization within the nuclei of cancer cells in preinvasive, invasive, and lymph node disease. Southern blot hybridization patterns were consistent with viral integration. Poor tumor grade (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.2- 4.9) and oropharyngeal site (OR = 6.2; 95% CI = 3.1-12.1) independently increased the probability of HPV presence. As compared with HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancers, HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers were less likely to occur among moderate to heavy drinkers (OR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.05-0.61) and smokers (OR = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.02-1.4), had a characteristic basaloid morphology (OR = 18.7; 95% CI = 2.1-167), were less likely to have TP53 mutations (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.01-0. 36), and had improved disease-specific survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.07-0.98). After adjustment for the presence of lymph node disease (HR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.4- 3.8), heavy alcohol consumption (HR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.4-4.7), and age greater than 60 years old (HR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.8-2.3), all patients with HPV-positive tumors had a 59% reduction in risk of death from cancer when compared with HPV-negative HNSCC patients (HR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.20-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: These data extend recent molecular and epidemiologic studies and strongly suggest that HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers comprise a distinct molecular, clinical, and pathologic disease entity that is likely causally associated with HPV infection and that has a markedly improved prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Inactivation of the DNA repair gene O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase by promoter hypermethylation is associated with G to A mutations in K-ras in colorectal tumorigenesis.

O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a DNA repair protein that removes mutagenic and cytotoxic adducts from the O6 position of guanine. O6-methylguanine mispairs with thymine during replication, and if the adduct is not removed, this results in conversion from a guanine-cytosine pair to an adenine-thymine pair. In vitro assays show that MGMT expression avoids G to A mutations and MGMT transgenic mice are protected against G to A transitions at ras genes. We have recently demonstrated that the MGMT gene is silenced by promoter methylation in many human tumors, including colorectal carcinomas. To study the relevance of defective MGMT function by aberrant methylation in relation to the presence of K-ras mutations, we studied 244 colorectal tumor samples for MGMT promoter hypermethylation and K-ras mutational status. Our results show a clear association between the inactivation of MGMT by promoter hypermethylation and the appearance of G to A mutations at K-ras: 71% (36 of 51) of the tumors displaying this particular type of mutation had abnormal MGMT methylation, whereas only 32% (12 of 37) of those with other K-ras mutations not involving G to A transitions and 35% (55 of 156) of the tumors without K-ras mutations demonstrated MGMT methylation (P = 0.002). In addition, MGMT loss associated with hypermethylation was observed in the small adenomas, including those that do not yet contain K-ras mutations. Hypermethylation of other genes such as p16INK4a and p14ARF was not associated with either MGMT hypermethylation or K-ras mutation. Our data suggest that epigenetic silencing of MGMT by promoter hypermethylation may lead to a particular genetic change in human cancer, specifically G to A transitions in the K-ras oncogene.

Adenine↗

Microsatellite instability at selected tetranucleotide repeats is associated with p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer.

Microsatellite alterations are useful clonal markers for the early detection of cancer. An increase in microsatellite instability has been observed at certain tetranucleotide repeat markers (AAAGn) in lung, head and neck, and bladder cancer. However, the genetic mechanism underlying these elevated microsatellite alterations at selected tetranucleotide repeat (EMAST) tumors is still unknown. The p53 gene plays an important role in maintaining genome integrity by repairing damaged DNA. Therefore, we tested 88 non-small cell lung cancers with a panel of 13 microsatellite markers previously shown to exhibit frequent instability and also performed p53 sequence analysis in these tumors. Thirty-one of these 88 cancers (35%) demonstrated a novel allele [EMAST(+)] in > or =1 of these 13 microsatellite markers. p53 mutations were detected in 50 of 88 (57%) cancers and were significantly (P = 0.001) more common in EMAST(+) tumors (25 of 31; 81%) than in EMAST(-) tumors (25 of 57; 44%). Among squamous cell cancers, p53 mutations were detected significantly (P = 0.04) more frequently in EMAST(+) tumors (17 of 19; 89%) than in EMAST(-) tumors (10 of 18; 55%). Similarly, among primary adenocarcinomas, p53 mutations were present in 67% of the EMAST(+) tumors and in 35% of EMAST(-) adenocarcinomas. None of the 31 EMAST(+) tumors demonstrated high frequency microsatellite instability when examined with a reference panel of five mono- and dinucleotide markers. Primary lung cancers with microsatellite alterations at selected tetranucleotide repeats have a high frequency of p53 mutations and do not display a phenotype consistent with defects in mismatch repair.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Facile detection of mitochondrial DNA mutations in tumors and bodily fluids.

Examination of human bladder, head and neck, and lung primary tumors revealed a high frequency of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. The majority of these somatic mutations were homoplasmic in nature, indicating that the mutant mtDNA became dominant in tumor cells. The mutated mtDNA was readily detectable in paired bodily fluids from each type of cancer and was 19 to 220 times as abundant as mutated nuclear p53 DNA. By virtue of their clonal nature and high copy number, mitochondrial mutations may provide a powerful molecular marker for noninvasive detection of cancer.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Gene promoter hypermethylation in tumors and serum of head and neck cancer patients.

Promoter hypermethylation is an important pathway for repression of gene transcription in cancer cells. We analyzed aberrant DNA methylation at four genes in primary tumors from 95 head and neck cancer patients and then used the presence of this methylation as a marker for cancer cell detection in serum DNA. These four genes were tested by methylation-specific PCR and included: p16 (CDKN2A), O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase, glutathione S-transferase P1, and death-associated protein kinase (DAP-kinase). Fifty-five % (52 of 95) of the primary tumors displayed promoter hypermethylation in at least one of the genes studied: 27% (26/95) at p16, 33% (31 of 95) at O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase; and 18% (17 of 92) at DAP-kinase. No promoter hypermethylation was observed at the glutathione S-transferase P1 gene promoter. We detected a statistically significant correlation between the presence of DAP-kinase gene promoter hypermethylation and lymph node involvement (P = 0.014) and advanced disease stage (P = 0.016). In 50 patients with paired serum available for epigenetic analysis, the same methylation pattern was detected in the corresponding serum DNA of 21 (42%) cases. Among the patients with methylated serum DNA, 5 developed distant metastasis compared with the occurrence of metastasis in only 1 patient negative for serum promoter hypermethylation (P = 0.056). Promoter hypermethylation of key genes in critical pathways is common in head and neck cancer and represents a promising serum marker for monitoring affected patients.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins↗

Predominance of brain tumors in an extended Li-Fraumeni (SBLA) kindred, including a case of Sturge-Weber syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is characterized by a plethora of cancers, most prominent of which is carcinoma of the breast followed by sarcomas, brain tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, lung carcinoma, and adrenocortical carcinoma (therefore, also referred to by the acronym SBLA syndrome). METHODS: The family reported herein was first described 2 decades ago. Now extensive follow-up has shown the predictable occurrence of these tumor types, in addition to an excess of brain tumors and the finding of Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) in an LFS-affected family member. RESULTS: A possible new feature of the disorder, suggestive of SWS, was identified in a patient in the direct genetic lineage. This patient had a rhabdomyosarcoma of the eyelid at age 29 months and at age 14 years was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A remarkable excess of brain tumors was identified in this family through this current update. The p53 germ-line mutation was not identified in any affected member of this family. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first example of SWS in the context of LFS. Brain tumors appear to be an important component of the tumor spectrum of LFS, as evidenced in this family.

Adult↗

Two distinct regions of loss on chromosome arm 4q in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To more clearly define the frequency and the regions of chromosome arm 4q loss in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN: A retrospective microsatellite analysis of DNA from previously microdissected primary tumor samples. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred primary tumor samples from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed for loss of heterozygosity on the long arm of chromosome 4. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival for 97 patients for whom clinical data were available. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare survival, and logistic regression was used to search for associations between clinical tumor characteristics and 4q status. RESULTS: Analysis of 33 polymorphic microsatellite markers identified 51 samples (51%) exhibiting loss of heterozygosity of 4q in at least 1 locus. Eighteen tumors revealed loss at all informative markers, indicating monosomy or complete deletion of 4q. Thirty-three tumors displayed partial loss of heterozygosity and delineated 2 minimal areas of loss at 4q2324 and 4q2829. Eleven tumors displayed loss solely at the 4q2324 region, 13 tumors displayed deletions confined to the 4q2829 region, and 9 tumors displayed selective loss at both regions. A separate analysis in a subset of 94 primary head and neck tumors was done to further delineate the minimal area of chromosomal loss at 4q2324. Analysis of 8 markers in this region allowed us to identify the smallest region of loss between markers D4S2986 and D4S1564 (a distance of 2 centimorgans). Review of the clinical records of 97 patients revealed no statistically significant association between 4q status and any clinical variable, including survival. CONCLUSION: These results confirm a high frequency of chromosome arm 4q loss in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and might demarcate 2 novel putative suppressor loci involved in progression of this carcinoma.

Adult↗

Molecular analysis of the candidate tumor suppressor gene ING1 in human head and neck tumors with 13q deletions.

The candidate tumor-suppressor gene ING1 encodes p33(ING1), a nuclear protein which physically interacts with TP53. It has been shown that p33(ING1) acts in the same biochemical pathway as TP53, leading to cell growth inhibition. Interestingly, a rearrangement of the ING1 gene was found in a neuroblastoma cell line, supporting its involvement in tumor development. Because ING1 resides on the long arm of chromosome 13 (13q34) (a region frequently deleted in many tumor types), we sought to characterize its role in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We first analyzed 44 primary tumors for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 13q, using four widely spaced microsatellite markers (13q14, 13q14.3-q22, 13q22, and 13q34). Twenty (48%) of the tumor samples showed LOH in all of the informative markers tested, including D13S1315 at 13q34. Two of the tumors displayed partial losses restricted to one marker (D13S118 at 13q14 in tumor 1164, and D13S135 at 13q14.3-q22 in tumor 1398). We then determined the genomic structure of the ING1 gene and sequenced the entire coding region in 20 primary tumors showing 13q LOH and in five head and neck cancer cell lines. A single germline polymorphism was detected in 10 of the tumors analyzed (T to C change) located 110 nucleotides upstream of the starting methionine. No somatic mutations were found in any of the samples, suggesting that ING1 is not a tumor suppressor gene target in head and neck cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:319-322, 2000.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

p53 overexpression and K-ras gene mutations in primary sclerosing cholangitis-associated biliary tract cancer.

Cholangiocarcinoma occurs frequently in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We evaluated the incidence and prognostic significance of p53 protein overexpression and K-ras gene mutations in patients with biliary tract cancer and PSC. p53 protein expression was determined in specimens from 12 patients with biliary tract cancer, using the antibody, D07. K-ras mutations were detected using DNA sequencing and a mutation ligation assay. Accumulation of p53 protein was detected in 6 of 12 tumors (50%). K-ras mutations were detected in 4 of 12 tumors (33%). Overall survival in patients with p53-negative tumors was significantly longer (P < 0.05) than that in patients with p53-positive (mutant) tumors. Similarly, overall survival was significantly longer (P < 0.05) in the absence of a K-ras mutation than in patients with a tumor containing a K-ras mutation. Mean interval from the time of diagnosis of PSC until the diagnosis of biliary tract cancer was significantly shorter (P < 0.05) in patients with p53 overexpression than in those patients without p53 overexpression (2 versus 47 months). p53 overexpression and K-ras mutations occur commonly in patients with PSC and biliary tract cancer and are associated with a shortened survival. Patients with longstanding PSC are less likely to have these genetic alterations and may have a better prognosis.

Adult↗

Inverted sinonasal papilloma : a molecular genetic appraisal of its putative status as a Precursor to squamous cell carcinoma.

Inverted papilloma (IP) is a proliferative lesion of the epithelium lining the sinonasal tract. Although IP often recurs after surgical excision and is sometimes associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the sinonasal cavity (SNSCC), its presumed neoplastic nature and putative role as a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma have not been confirmed at the molecular genetic level. We analyzed the pattern of X chromosome inactivation in IPs from nine female patients. Inactivation of a single allele is seen in monoclonal proliferations and may be indicative of a neoplastic process. We also analyzed 28 IPs and 6 concurrent SNSCCs for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomal arms 3p, 9p21, 11q13, 13q11, and 17p13. Losses at these loci occur frequently during neoplastic transformation of the upper respiratory tract and can be detected in squamous cell carcinomas and the progenitor lesions from which they arise. X chromosome analysis was informative in four of the nine IPs. All four lesions demonstrated a monoclonal pattern of inactivation. LOH was not detected in any nondysplastic areas from the 28 IPs, but LOH at one or more chromosomal loci was present in all six of the concurrent SNSCCs. We conclude that IPs are monoclonal proliferations, yet they do not fit the profile of a prototypic precursor lesion. Unlike squamous epithelial dysplasia, IPs do not routinely harbor several of the key genetic alterations that are associated with malignant transformation of the upper respiratory tract.

Alleles↗

Loss of heterozygosity assay for molecular detection of cancer using energy-transfer primers and capillary array electrophoresis.

Microsatellite DNA loci are useful markers for the detection of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MI) associated with primary cancers. To carry out large-scale studies of LOH and MI in cancer progression, high-throughput instrumentation and assays with high accuracy and sensitivity need to be validated. DNA was extracted from 26 renal tumor and paired lymphocyte samples and amplified with two-color energy-transfer (ET) fluorescent primers specific for loci associated with cancer-induced chromosomal changes. PCR amplicons were separated on the MegaBACE-1000 96 capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) instrument and analyzed with MegaBACE Genetic Profiler v.1.0 software. Ninety-six separations were achieved in parallel in 75 minutes. Loss of heterozygosity was easily detected in tumor samples as was the gain/loss of microsatellite core repeats. Allelic ratios were determined with a precision of +/- 10% or better. Prior analysis of these samples with slab gel electrophoresis and radioisotope labeling had not detected these changes with as much sensitivity or precision. This study establishes the validity of this assay and the MegaBACE instrument for large-scale, high-throughput studies of the molecular genetic changes associated with cancer.

DNA Primers↗

An overview on the isolation and analysis of circulating tumor DNA in plasma and serum.

Molecular biology has brought about a new dimension to our understanding and analysis of human cancer. Diagnosis and prognosis of cancer have increasingly benefited from the use of molecular markers and molecular approaches. Although the description of circulating tumor DNA in the blood has a long history, the clinical implications of its presence require a large body of well-controlled and stringently performed large research and clinical tests. This chapter has provided an overview of the essential elements for the preparation and analysis of circulating DNA in the plasma or serum. We hope that the basic approaches and tips summarized here will serve as a foundation for the rigorous and comprehensive molecular analysis of circulating nucleic acids in the years to come.

DNA, Neoplasm↗