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O Delattre

Publications and source records attributed to O Delattre.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Sensitive detection of occult Ewing's cells by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Recently, Ewing's tumours have been shown to carry specific hybrid transcripts resulting from the fusion of the EWS gene with FLI-1 or ERG genes. Based on the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of these alterations by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique, we have developed an assay to search for small numbers of Ewing cells in various sites from patients with Ewing's tumour. This method enables the detection of fewer than one tumour cell per million blood mononuclear cells. A total of 28 primary sites and 51 peripheral samples from 36 patients were investigated. Tumour cells could be detected in 4/18 blood samples, 4/15 bone marrow aspirates and 2/18 peripheral stem cell harvests. EWS/FLI-1 and EWS/ERG transcripts being observed in eight and two cases respectively. The type of fusion transcript detected in peripheral site(s) was identical to that observed in the primary site. At diagnosis 5/16 patients (31%) demonstrated either circulating tumour cells or/and occult bone marrow metastasis. After induction therapy, tumour cells were detected in 3/21 patients. This highly sensitive method should be a relevant tool to allow a more accurate clinical assessment of the dissemination of Ewing's tumours.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning of a balanced translocation breakpoint in the DiGeorge syndrome critical region and isolation of a novel potential adhesion receptor gene in its vicinity.

Deletions of the 22q11.2 have been associated with a wide range of developmental defects (notably DiGeorge syndrome, velocardiofacial syndrome, conotruncal anomaly face syndrome and isolated conotruncal cardiac defects) classified under the acronym CATCH 22. A DiGeorge syndrome patient bearing a balanced translocation whose breakpoint maps within the critical region has been previously described. We report the construction of a cosmid contig spanning the translocation breakpoint and the isolation of a gene mapping 10 kb telomeric to the breakpoint. This gene encodes a novel putative adhesion receptor protein, which could play a role in neural crest cells migration, a process which has been proposed to be altered in DiGeorge syndrome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Rupture of the distal tendon of the biceps brachialis: apropos of 43 cases].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Rupture of the distal tendon of the biceps is an uncommon occurrence. 43 cases were analyzed in a multicentric study in order to define etiological factors and treatment of this lesion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 43 cases were reviewed from Fort de France, Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Suresnes. There were only male patients with an average age of 50 years. The mechanism of injury, the clinical and radiographic features, the anatomical findings and the results of surgical treatment were analyzed. 4 patients were treated conservatively and 39 surgically. In 28 cases, anatomical reattachment of the tendon was performed. In 11 cases the tendon was simply attached to the brachialis anterior muscle. RESULTS: The mechanism of injury in all patients was passive extension against active flexion 17 patients had sustained injury while engaged in sports activities and 17 during domestic activities. Most of the patients were diagnosed clinically. Ultrasound and CT scan was useful in cases seen a long time after injury. In 34 cases avulsion of the bicipital tuberosity was found. Subjective results were good in 28 cases and poor in 5 cases. Objective testing was performed one year after injury using the criteria described by Baker: flexion and suppination force (maximum force) and endurance (ability to perform repeated contractions). Following attachment to the brachialis anterior, there was an average loss of 33 per cent of flexion strength and 52 per cent of supination strength. Following anatomical reattachment, the loss was 5 per cent for flexion and 15 per cent for supination. There were two cases of radial nerve palsies and 1 case of radio-ulnar synostosis. DISCUSSION: Attachment of the biceps brachialis tendon to the brachialis anterior muscle is unable to restore supination force. Complications only occur following anatomical reattachment. Radial nerve palsies can be avoided by using two separate incisions as described by Boyd. CONCLUSION: Surgical reinsertion onto the radial tuberosity restore more strength. Attachment to the brachialis muscle can be sued in cases seen a long time after injury.

Adult↗

[Molecular biology in cerebral gliomas: recent advances].

Meanwhile first gene therapy assays in cerebral gliomas are in progress, we present in this article a review of the major genetic aberrations reported to date in these tumors. The analysis of these alterations enabled, these last few years, significative advances in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in glioma tumorigenesis. It is now well recognized that tumors result from a multistep process requiring in particular proto-oncogenes activation and tumor suppressor genes inactivation. The different genes implicated in the development of gliomas, their place in the tumoral progression and their potential therapeutic relevance are detailed in this review. The continuation of the identification of glioma altered genes is essential to provide new diagnostic and pronostic markers, and specific targets for more efficient therapy.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Cloning and chromosome localization of the mouse Ews gene.

The human EWS gene encodes a putative RNA binding protein. As a result of acquired chromosome rearrangement, the N-terminal portion of the EWS protein is fused to the DNA binding domain of either FLI-1 or ERG in the Ewing family of tumors and to the DNA binding domain of ATF1 in malignant melanoma of soft parts. We have determined the cDNA sequence of the mouse Ews gene. Its nucleotide sequence and its translation product demonstrate 93 and 98% homology with the human EWS cDNA and protein, respectively. The murine Ews locus lies within a conserved synteny segment between human chromosome 22q12 and mouse chromosome 11A1-A3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Ewing family of tumors--a subgroup of small-round-cell tumors defined by specific chimeric transcripts.

BACKGROUND: Precise diagnosis of small-round-cell tumors is often a challenge to the pathologist and the clinical oncologist. In Ewing's sarcomas and related peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors, a t(11;22) translocation or a (21,22) rearrangement is associated with hybrid transcripts of the EWS gene with the FLI1 or ERG gene. To investigate the diagnostic implication of this observation, we searched for these hybrid transcripts in tumors from patients with clinical and radiologic features of Ewing's sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors. METHODS: Samples of RNA from 114 tumors were reverse transcribed and subjected to the polymerase chain reaction with primers designed to amplify the relevant chimeric transcripts. All amplified products were sequenced. RESULTS: In-frame hybrid transcripts were observed in 89 cases. A hybrid transcript was found in 83 of 87 cases (95 percent) of Ewing's sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors. Samples of RNA from all of 12 tumors that had been proved to be other than Ewing's sarcoma or neuroectodermal tumors had no hybrid transcript. However, 6 of 15 undifferentiated tumors whose type was ambiguous (nonsecreting, poorly differentiated neuroblastoma or undifferentiated sarcoma) contained a hybrid transcript, suggesting that they might have to be reclassified. CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of small-round-cell tumors identified as belonging to the Ewing family of tumors can be defined according to a specific molecular genetic lesion that is detectable by a rapid, reliable, and efficient method. This approach can be applied to small specimens obtained by fine-needle biopsies.

Adolescent↗

p53 mutations in human tumors with chimeric EWS/FLI-1 genes.

The Ewing family of tumors is recurrently characterized at the molecular level by the presence of a fusion transcript between the EWS gene on chromosome 22 and either the FLI-I or ERG genes, 2 closely related members of the Ets family of transcription factors. We have investigated 12 primary human tumors, 11 xenografts and 11 cell lines, which have been shown to express chimeric EWS transcripts in search of p53 mutations. Fragments of exons 5 to 8 and the corresponding consensus splice sequences were amplified by PCR and analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). In 12 of 34 samples p53 mutations were detected (including 4 samples with multiple p53 mutations). The distribution of the mutations in the various samples was as follows: primary tumors 2/12; cell lines 5/11; xenografts 5/11. No correlation between the presence or absence of p53 mutations and the presence of a specific EWS chimeric transcript was observed. In addition, we observed that p53 mutations were almost always associated with a second hit (either deletion or second mutation) on the other p53 allele.

Animals↗

Physical mapping of the NF2/meningioma region on human chromosome 22q12.

Loss of genetic information from chromosome 22 has been implicated in the development of neurofibromatosis type 2, meningioma, and several other neoplasia. Molecular studies indicate that genes within chromosomal band 22q12 may be involved in tumorigenesis. We have mapped 29 loci into 16 groups in this region, using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, fluorescence in situ suppression hybridization, and somatic cell hybrid mapping. The region spans more than 5 Mb of genomic DNA and contains the genes for neurofibromatosis type 2 and meningioma. The order of loci presented here provides the framework for the fine mapping of this region using cosmids and yeast artificial chromosomes, and it facilitates the speedy cloning of novel genes from 22q12.

Cell Line, Transformed↗

Two distinct deleted regions on the short arm of chromosome 1 in neuroblastoma.

The short arm of chromosome 1p is the most frequently altered chromosome segment in neuroblastoma. The alterations, mainly deletions, are thought to be indicative of the presence of a tumor suppressor gene. To further refine the chromosome localization of this gene, we have studied paired constitutional and tumor DNA from a series of 60 patients with neuroblastoma at 2 minisatellite and 23 microsatellite loci dispersed along the short arm of chromosome 1. Twenty-two cases (37%) demonstrated loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at one or more loci on 1p. Surprisingly, the pattern of LOH enabled the identification of two distinct consensus regions of deletions. In agreement with previous reports, one region mapped to the distal short arm of chromosome 1. The other region was localized more proximally on 1p. Deletions observed in tumors involve either one or both of these regions. We show that the correlation between NMYC amplification and 1p deletion is limited to the deletions which involve the proximal region either alone or together with the distal region. These results suggest that two tumor suppressor genes on 1p might be involved in the development of neuroblastoma. Finally, we show that somatic mutations at microsatellite loci, frequently observed in other types of cancer, are rare events in neuroblastoma.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Analysis of mutations in the SCH gene in schwannomas.

Schwannomas are benign tumors of cranial, spinal, and other nerve sheaths that develop sporadically or are inherited as part of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The NF2 gene (SCH) on chromosome 22 has recently been identified and shown to be inactivated by mutation and allele loss in some schwannomas. However, only limited regions in the SCH coding region were examined for mutations. We have extended these studies by screening virtually all coding sequences of the SCH gene (95% coverage) and adjacent splice site sequences for the presence of mutations in 48 schwannomas. All tumors (34 vestibular schwannomas and 14 schwannomas of other locations) were additionally characterized for allele loss on chromosome 22. By PCR-DGGE screening of the 16 known exons of the SCH gene, 22 mutations were found. Most of these give rise to a premature stop codon and are expected to result in the synthesis of a truncated gene product (schwannomin). Although there was no apparent hotspot for mutations, 16 of the 22 mutations occurred in the first eight exons or adjacent splice site sequences of the SCH gene. In several vestibular as well as other schwannomas loss of one SCH allele and mutational inactivation of the second allele were identified in the same tumor. Our data indicate that the SCH gene is implicated in the development of schwannomas of all locations in the nervous system.

Alleles↗

Precise localization on chromosome 12 of the ATF-1 gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

The ATF-1 gene encodes for a transcription factor normally regulated by cAMP (Hai et al. 1989, Yoshimura et al. 1990). Recently, it has been shown to be involved in the recurrent t(12;22) translocation observed in soft tissue malignant melanoma, in a fusion gene with the EWS gene (Zucman et al. 1993). We report here on its precise localization on chromosome 12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗

Refined mapping of eight cosmid markers on human chromosome 22.

Eight cosmid clones were regionally assigned to small subregions of chromosome 22 by hybridization with a total of 22 somatic cell hybrids. One cosmid was localized to the proximal part of 22q which contained the region commonly deleted in the DiGeorge syndrome. Seven cosmids showing restriction fragment length polymorphisms were localized to the telomeric region distal to the MB locus, which was reported to be frequently deleted in sporadic meningioma. These cosmids, when finely mapped and ordered, are considered useful for the identification of genetic alterations on this chromosome arm.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Interphase molecular cytogenetics of Ewing's sarcoma and peripheral neuroepithelioma t(11;22) with flanking and overlapping cosmid probes.

The translocation, t(11;22)(q24;q12), recurrently observed in Ewing's sarcoma and in peripheral neuroepithelioma has been recently cloned. The analysis of a series of ES/PNE has revealed that the chromosome 22 breakpoints are clustered in a small region of 7 kb, called EWSR1, and that those on chromosome 11 are spread over a larger region of 40-50 kb, called EWSR2. Cosmids from loci flanking or overlapping these two regions have been obtained. We demonstrate here that fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with these cosmids allows the localization of the two breakpoints with a 10-kb resolution and leads to a rapid and reliable ES/PNE diagnosis.

Cell Line↗

Variability of EWS chimaeric transcripts in Ewing tumours: a comparison of clinical and molecular data.

Ewing tumours (ET), including Ewing's sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour, are well characterised at the molecular level by a unique chromosomal rearrangement which fuses the EWS gene to one of two closely related ETS proto-oncogenes, FLI-1 or ERG. Expression of the resulting chimaeric transcripts can be readily detected by reversed transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This approach led to the identification of a number of different exon combinations at the junction site of coding sequences. The physiological consequences of the observed variability in the hinge region of EWS chimaeric proteins are not known. We have analysed tumour-derived material from 30 ET patients with well-documented clinical course (18 with localised and 12 with metastatic disease at diagnosis) for the presence of EWS/FLI-1 or EWS/ERG RNA. Karyotypes were obtained in 21 out of 27 cases and analysed by routine cytogenetics. A chromosome 22 rearrangement was demonstrated in 18 cases (67%). In contrast, RT-PCR revealed the presence of chimaeric transcripts in 28 tumours (93%), with fusions of EWS exon 7 to FLI-1 exons 6 (19/28), 5 (4/28) and 7 (1/28). In addition, EWS/FLI-1 exon combinations 10/5 and 9/4 were observed in one case each. In the last tumour, the presence of at least four additional splicing variants corresponding to fusion of EWS exon 7 to FLI-1 exons 4, 6, 8 and 9 was demonstrated. Two tumours expressed EWS/ERG fusion transcripts involving EWS exon 7 and ERG exon 6. In this study, EWS/FLI-1 exon combinations 7/6 (type I) predominated over 7/5 (type II) in localised ET (14 versus 1) and were more abundant in tumours affecting the long bones (9 versus 0), whereas in central axis tumours and metastatic disease there was only little difference in the frequency of the two types. So far, no correlations between different chimaeric EWS transcripts and any other clinical parameters have been identified.

Adolescent↗

Evidence for the complete inactivation of the NF2 gene in the majority of sporadic meningiomas.

Meningiomas are common central nervous system tumours which present usually in the 4th and 5th decades of life. Loss of constitutional heterozygosity on chromosome 22 in 60% of sporadic meningiomas has implied the involvement of a tumour suppressor gene. The neurofibromatosis type 2 gene (NF2), a prime candidate for involvement in meningioma, was screened for point mutations. After examining eight of the 16 known NF2 exons in 151 meningiomas, 24 inactivating mutations were characterized. Significantly, these aberrations were exclusively detected in tumours which lost the other chromosome 22 allele. These results provide strong evidence that the suppressor gene on chromosome 22, frequently inactivated in meningioma, is the NF2 gene, and suggest that another gene is involved in the development of 40% of meningiomas.

Adult↗

The neurofibromatosis type 2 gene is inactivated in schwannomas.

Schwannomas are tumors arising from schwann cells surrounding peripheral nerves. Although most schwannomas are sporadic, they are seen in approximately 90% of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), an autosomal dominantly inherited disease with an incidence of 1:40000 live births. The NF2 gene has recently been isolated on chromosome 22 and encodes a putative membrane organizing protein named schwannomin. It is believed to act as a tumor suppressor gene based on the high frequency of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on this autosome in both sporadic and NF2 associated schwannomas and meningiomas and the identification of inactivating mutation in NF2 patients. In this study we examined 61 schwannomas including 48 sporadic schwannomas (46 of which are vestibular schwannomas) and 12 schwannomas obtained from NF2 patients, for mutations in 10 of the 16 coding exons of the NF2 gene. Twelve inactivating mutations were identified, 8 in sporadic tumours and 4 in tumors from people with NF2. These results support the hypothesis that loss of function of schwannomin is a frequent and fundamental event in the genesis of schwannomas.

Base Sequence↗