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S Knuutila

Publications and source records attributed to S Knuutila.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Comparative genomic hybridization of malignant fibrous histiocytoma reveals a novel prognostic marker.

DNA sequence copy number changes were studied by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) along all chromosomes in 58 samples of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). The material consisted of 43 primary tumors (9 of myxoid and 34 of storiform-pleomorphic subtype), 13 local recurrences (2 myxoid and 11 storiform-pleomorphic), and 2 metastases (1 myxoid and 1 storiform-pleomorphic). Genetic aberrations, with a mean of 5.5 changes per sample (range, 0 to 22), were detected in 47 of 58 samples (81%). The minimal common regions of the most frequent gains were 1p31 (33%), 9q31 (29%), 5p14-pter (26%), 7q32 (24%), and 7p15-pter (22%). High-level amplifications were detected in 16 of the 58 samples (28%). High-level amplification of 13q31-qter was seen in four tumors (7%); other high-level amplifications were more sporadic. Losses of DNA sequences were less frequent than gains. The minimal common regions of the most common losses were 13q21 (21%) and 13q22 (21%). Statistically significant correlation was found between gain of 7q32 and the rates of worse metastasis-free survival (P = 0.01) and overall survival (P = 0.004). The gain of 7q32 retained its prognostic significance also in a multivariate analysis with tumor size and grade. Gain of 1p31 was associated with a trend to decreased overall survival. Gains of 5p14-pter and 9q31 and losses of 13q21 and/or 13q22 did not have any prognostic value; neither did the total number of aberrations, total number of gains, or total number of losses per sample.

Adult↗

Tumor size-related DNA copy number changes occur in solitary fibrous tumors but not in hemangiopericytomas.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) presenting in the pleura and other soft tissue sites and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) presenting at various soft tissue sites are mesenchymal tumors that share many histologic and immunohistochemical features. This raises the questions of whether these tumors are related and whether they belong within the spectrum of a single biologic entity. The behavior of both SFTs and HPCs is difficult to predict histologically. The genetic background of both SFTs and HPCs is poorly known, but it could be helpful in the evaluation of malignancy and could give clues to their possible relationship. In this study, we analyzed 15 SFTs and 11 HPCs by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), a powerful molecular cytogenetic tool that can be applied to DNA extracted from formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue. All of these tumors were immunohistochemically similar and showed reactivity for CD34-antigen but not for keratins, desmin, or muscle actins. Only 1 SFT smaller than 10 cm showed DNA copy number changes (a single loss in chromosome 13), but 7 of 8 SFTs larger than 10 cm (including all 4 tumors with more than 4 mitoses per 10 high power fields) showed changes, mostly chromosomal gains in 5q 7, 8, 12, and 18. Four cases showed losses, two of them in chromosome 13 and two others in 20q. These findings suggest that CGH might be useful in the evaluation of malignant transformation in SFT. The most common change, gain of the entire chromosome 8, seen in two cases as the only change, suggests trisomy 8 and parallels a similar finding previously described in other fibrous tumors, such as subsets of desmoid fibromatosis and infantile fibrosarcoma. In contrast, HPCs, including large and mitotically active tumors, showed no DNA copy number changes on CGH. This suggests that HPC is genetically different from SFT.

Adult↗

Comparison of cytogenetics, interphase cytogenetics, and DNA flow cytometry in bone tumors.

Twenty-three samples of benign and malignant bone tumors were studied with cytogenetic analysis, interphase cytogenetics (IC) using in situ hybridization with (peri)centromeric probes for chromosomes 1, 7, and/or 8, and DNA flow cytometry (FCM). Our aim was to compare these methods in the detection of numerical chromosome aberrations (NCA) and aneuploidy. IC detected aneuploidy in 91%, FCM in 73%, and cytogenetics in 27% of the malignant tumors. In benign tumors IC detected aneuploid by in 4(33%), FCM in 2(17%), and cytogenetic analysis in 1. All of the benign tumors aneuploid by IC, two of which were also aneuploid by FCM, were histologically potentially aggressive. The clonal aberrations detected with cytogenetics usually agreed with the IC and FCM findings. All malignant tumors which had a normal karyotype were aneuploid either by IC or FCM or by both. In conclusion, IC was the most sensitive method in the detection of NCA and aneuploidy even though it was usually performed with only two (peri)centromeric probes. Aneuploidy was detected by cytogenetic analysis alone in 4 samples (17%), by cytogenetic analysis and/or FCM in 11 samples (48%), and by cytogenetic analysis, FCM, and/or IC in 16 samples (70%). Thus, the combined use of all three methods increased the sensitivity of aneuploidy detection.

Aneuploidy↗

Persistence of the AML1/ETO fusion transcript in patients treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for t(8;21) leukemia.

The AML1/ETO fusion transcript is expressed in virtually all patients with t(8;21) (q22;q22) acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The fusion transcript can be detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in most of these patients in long-term complete remission (CR) following conventional chemotherapy or autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, AML1/ETO expression has not been analyzed in a series of patients following allogeneic BMT. We examined CR bone marrow (BM) samples and, in some cases, blood samples from 10 patients with t(8;21) leukemia who underwent allogeneic BMT in either first or second remission or first or second relapse. A variety of myeloablative regimens were used. Eight patients received non-T-cell depleted BM from matched sibling donors, one patient received a T-cell depleted haploidentical BM, and one patient received a non-T-cell depleted BM from a matched unrelated donor (MUD). Five patients developed acute and/ or chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). The furthest time points analyzed for the AML1/ETO transcript in the 10 patients in CR following allogeneic BMT ranged from 7.5 to 83.0 months. Sufficient RNA was extracted from the most recent BM or BM and blood samples from nine patients to assay for presence or absence of the AML1/ETO fusion transcript by RT-PCR. The fusion transcript was detected by RT-PCR in all nine of these patient samples; eight were positive in BM and one was negative in BM, but positive in blood. The fusion transcript could not be detected in a BM sample from the tenth patient obtained 7.5 months after BMT, but the amount of RNA available was suboptimal. Hematopoietic chimerism could be demonstrated in sorted CD34+ BM cells from two of four patient CR BM samples with RT-PCR evidence of the fusion transcript. Additionally, in one of the two cases with chimerism, we demonstrated an abnormal clonal population of recipient cells in the CR BM sample by fluorescence in situ hybridization. One patient died of complications from GVHD, while the other nine patients remain alive without evidence of relapse, with a median follow-up time of 27 (range, 7.5 to 87) months post-BMT. These data suggest that allogeneic BMT, like conventional chemotherapy and autologous BMT, is not sufficient to eradicate cells expressing AML1/ETO, and that a positive RT-PCR for the fusion transcript post allogeneic BMT is compatible with continued CR.

Adult↗

DNA copy number losses in chromosome 14: an early change in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

The DNA copy number changes were investigated in 13 malignant, 3 borderline, and 16 benign gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) by comparative genomic hybridization. A consistent finding was the loss of DNA copy numbers in chromosome 14q. This was detected in 75% of the benign tumors, in 62% of the malignant tumors, and in two out of the three borderline tumors with a minimal overlapping region located to 14q22. Losses of DNA copy numbers were more frequent than gains, with 2-10 changes in malignant GISTs and 1-3 changes in benign tumors. High-level DNA amplifications, detected only in malignant GISTs, were assigned to 3q26-q29 (40%), 5p (30%), and 8q22-24 (40%). Our results indicate that copy number losses in 14q are an early change during oncogenesis of GISTs and suggest the possibility that a new tumor suppressor gene at 14q22 might be involved in the regulation of differentiation or proliferation of such mesenchymal cells.

Adult↗

Gains and losses of DNA sequences in malignant mesothelioma by comparative genomic hybridization.

The molecular basis of malignant mesothelioma is poorly known. We examined genetic changes in 11 mesothelioma specimens by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Five DNA specimens originated from uncultured tumor tissues and six from cell lines established from the same patients. Findings from the classical karyotypic characterization of both primary tumors and cell lines have been reported previously. In the CGH analyses the most common genetic alterations in the 11 mesothelioma specimens were losses of chromosomal regions in 1p, 8p, 14q, and 22q and gains of 5p, 6p, 8q, 15q, 17q, and 20. The cell lines had on average a much higher total number of genetic changes than the uncultured tumor specimens. Clonal relationship between the cell lines and the uncultured tissue specimens could not usually be demonstrated even though they originated from the same patient. The observed differences may partly be due to high frequency of chromosomal rearrangements, which CGH cannot detect, partly due to contamination of tumor specimens with normal tissue, and partly due to genetic evolution in tumor cell lines.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

DNA copy number changes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma--comparative genomic hybridization study.

We studied DNA copy number changes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using comparative genomic hybridization analysis on 20 primary tumors and on 12 recurrent tumors excised after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Twenty-nine (91%) of the cases showed abnormal copy number karyotypes. Chromosomal regions at X (41%), 1q (38%), 7 (31%), 3 (24%), 6p (21%), 11 (21%), 12 (21%), and 18 (21%) were most frequently gained, and the most common losses involved 6q (38%), X (21%), 1p (14%), and 8p (10%). High-level amplifications were observed at 6p23-ter, 10p12-14, 17p1l.2, 18q21-ter, and Xq22-ter, all but 18q appearing only in the recurrent tumors. Gains (median, 2; range, 0 to 10) were more frequent than losses (median, 1; range, 0 to 7; P = .0004). The median number of aberrations found in the recurrent tumors (6.5) was greater than that in the primary tumors (2; P = .01). The copy number changes found in the recurrent tumors were more random than those found in the primary tumors, which were mainly located in the most frequently affected regions. Our findings are in line with those observed using conventional cytogenetic analysis, but especially novel high-level amplifications were detected. Southern blot analysis showed BCL2 amplification, but not translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21), in cases in which a gain at 18q was detected by comparative genomic hybridization, which strongly suggests that, in addition to translocation, gene amplification is another mechanism for the overexpression of the BCL2 protein.

Adult↗

Partial tandem duplication of ALL1 as a recurrent molecular defect in acute myeloid leukemia with trisomy 11.

Gains of a single chromosome are frequent cytogenic findings in human cancer, but no molecular rearrangement has been consistently associated with any trisomy. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), trisomy 11 (+11) occurring as a sole abnormality is the third most common trisomy. We have shown that the ALL1 gene, located at 11q23, can be rearranged as a result of a partial tandem duplication in two such cases of AML. To test the hypothesis that the partial tandem duplication of ALL1 is the recurrent molecular defect in cases of AML presenting with +11 as a sole cytogenic abnormality, we performed Southern analysis and PCR for defects of ALL1 in 17 cases of AML and one case of myelodysplastic syndrome with +11 or +11q but without cytogenic evidence of a structural abnormality involving 11q23. Twelve cases (67%) had rearrangement of ALL1, including 10 of 11 patients (91%) with +11 as a sole abnormality and 2 of 7 cases (29%) with +11 and other aberrations; all were classified as FAB M1 or M2. In 10 of the 12 cases, material was available for additional characterization; a partial tandem duplication of ALL1 was detected in each of these 10 cases (100%). Four cases demonstrated previously unreported duplications, two of which were detectable only by reverse transcription-PCR. Four patients with the ALL1 duplication also displayed a loss of material from 7q, suggesting an association between these two findings. We conclude that the partial tandem duplication of ALL1 is present in most, if not all, cases of AML with +11 as a sole abnormality, and can be found in cases of AML with +11 or +11q accompanied by other cytogenic abnormalities. The duplication is more prevalent in AML than was recognized previously in part because its size and location vary considerably, requiring a variety of molecular probes for detection. Our finding of the ALL1 duplication as a consistent defect in patients with +11 represents the first identification of a specific gene rearrangement associated with recurrent trisomy in human cancer.

Acute Disease↗

Lymphoid involvement in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia: a direct phenotypic and genotypic study of single cells.

Lymphoid involvement in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was studied using the morphology-antibody-chromosome (MAC) combination technique in one patient. The chromosomal aberration, trisomy 8, was demonstrated in AML blasts, glycophorin A-positive erythroblasts, and CD3- and CD20/22-positive small lymphocytes. This suggests that in this patient even lymphocytes belonged to the leukemic clone.

Acute Disease↗

Gains and losses of DNA sequences in liposarcomas evaluated by comparative genomic hybridization.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to detect and map the regions of gain, high-level amplification, and loss of DNA sequences in 14 liposarcomas. Thirteen tumors showed DNA sequence copy number changes of one or more genomic regions (mean, six aberrations/tumor; range, 0-17). These aberrations were observed in almost every chromosome but some chromosomal regions were affected more often than others. DNA sequence gains were more frequent than losses. The most common gain was seen at 12q14-21 (50% of tumors). Other frequent gains (29%) were of 1q21-24, 8cen-q21.2, 19q, and 20q. High-level amplification was observed in six (43%) tumors and included as minimal common segments bands 12q15, 1q22, and 1q24. In five (36%) tumors, sequences at 1q21-24 and 1q32 were found to be gained simultaneously with 12q14-21, which means that in 71% of the tumors with gain at 12q, an increase of DNA sequence copy number at 1q was also observed. The most common losses of DNA sequences (21%) occurred from regions 9p21-pter and 13q21-qter. Most of the aforementioned regions have not previously been reported to be altered in liposarcomas. The detection of a novel recurring amplicon at 1q21-24 with high-level amplification at 1q22 and frequent simultaneous DNA sequence gain at 12q14-21 (high-level amplification at 12q15) suggests that genes linked to both these regions may play a significant role in the development and progression of liposarcomas.

Adult↗

Ring chromosomes in parosteal osteosarcoma contain sequences from 12q13-15: a combined cytogenetic and comparative genomic hybridization study.

Seven parosteal osteosarcoma (POS) samples, six of which were cytogenetically characterized, were studied by using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). All samples showed DNA sequence copy number changes (mean, six aberrations/tumor; range, 1-13); gains were more frequent than losses. Gain of 12q13-15 sequences was found in every tumor and correlated with the presence of ring chromosomes. High-level amplification, which was detected in four tumors, was seen only in chromosome 12, with 12q13-14 as the minimal common region. By using chromosome painting, one of the rings of one case was shown to be composed entirely of chromosome 12 material. Together with previous data, our findings show that gain of 12q13-15 sequences is a characteristic feature of POS and that these sequences are contained within the ring chromosomes.

Adolescent↗

Evidence of somatic mutations in osteoarthritis.

We examined, cytogenetically and by in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques, the synovia, osteophytes, and articular cartilage from 32 patients with pronounced osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent form of arthropathy characterized by progressive reduction of articular cartilage, and synovial samples from 17 control patients. In short-term cultures, clonal chromosome aberrations, in particular the gain of chromosomes 7 (+7) and 5 (+5), were found to be strongly associated with OA. These aberrations were found in almost 90% of the cultures from synovia and osteophytes, whereas only 1/11 synovial samples from joints unequivocally unaffected by OA had cells with +5 or +7. The in vivo nature of trisomy 7 was demonstrated by ISH on uncultured cells, and serial passaging showed that cells with +7 had a proliferative advantage in vitro. Thus, the combined data indicate that cells with somatic mutations appear early and may be influential in the disease process leading to OA.

Adult↗

Cytogenetic study of extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. A case report.

Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare and highly malignant type of chondrosarcoma of soft tissue origin. We performed a cytogenetic study on a patient with EMC. Cytogenetic analysis revealed the tumor karyotype: 48-49,XX, t(4;9)(q23;q22), add(10)(q?26), +16, ?del(19)(p13), +1-2mar[cp12] / 48-50,idem, t(1;20)(q21;q13), +mar[cp6] / 46,XX [7].

Adult↗

No evidence of microsatellite instability in bone tumours.

Microsatellite instability has recently been reported in sporadic and familial colorectal tumours and can be due to defects in DNA mismatch repair genes. Such instability has subsequently been detected in several other types of sporadic tumours. We studied 29 specimens of bone tumours with different histopathological diagnoses and found no evidence of microsatellite instability. Our results suggest that mismatch repair defects are unlikely to play a significant part in the tumorigenesis of bone neoplasms. Loss of heterozygosity with at least one marker was detected in 11, i.e. in 38% of the tumour samples, most frequently with markers D2S136 at 2p (eight of 28 informative specimens, 29%) and D11S904 at 11p (four of 21 informative specimens, 19%).

Bone Neoplasms↗

Minimal residual disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia: a metaphase-FISH study.

Metaphase-FISH was adopted for the detection of proliferating Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) residual leukaemic cells in 25 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Patients were followed up during their clinical remission for 4-50 months (median 17 months) after BMT. 80 bone marrow samples were studied. For most of the cases no fewer than 1000 metaphases were analysed. Six patients (24%) showed residual Ph+ cells during the first 6 months and two others by the end of the first year after BMT. Three patients relapsed during the study and in two of them residual Ph+ cells were detected during the first 6 months after BMT. In 17 patients no Ph+ cells were detected at any stage of follow-up and 16 (94.1%) of them continue in complete clinical and haematological remission. Our results indicate that metaphase-FISH is a reliable tool in the quantitation of proliferating residual leukaemic cells. We suggest that consecutive findings of equal amounts of residual leukaemic cells do not necessarily predict a relapse. However, their presence calls for follow-up at shorter intervals where an increasing number of these cells predicts an ensuing relapse.

Adolescent↗

Maternal origin of transferrin receptor positive cells in venous blood of pregnant women.

We studied the origin of transferrin receptor (CD71) positive cells in blood from seven women pregnant with a male fetus in order to explore if fetal cells could be detected among them. We used a technique that allows direct chromosomal analysis by in situ hybridization on immunologically and morphologically classified cells. Enrichment was performed by magnetic activated cell sorting (miniMACS) using an anti-CD71 monoclonal antibody. The cells were immunophenotyped by alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase immunostaining with the same antibody. The origin of the immunophenotyped cells was studied by in situ hybridization using an X cosmid Y repeat chromosome specific probe cocktail. CD71 positive cells were found in six of the seven women at the range of 4 to 43 in respective samples. Over 90% of the CD71 positive cells were nucleated erythrocytes. None of the detected positive cells were shown to be fetal. Thus, the use of transferrin receptor antigen alone in combination with the miniMACS may not be sufficient for enrichment of fetal cells.

Adult↗

Split hand/split foot malformation, deafness, and mental retardation with a complex cytogenetic rearrangement involving 7q21.3.

Split hand/split foot malformation (SHSF) has been described in several patients associated with cytogenetically visible rearrangements involving chromosome 7q. Characterisation of these patients has led to localisation of an autosomal dominant form of SHSF to 7q21-22; the locus has been designated SHFM1. We describe a patient with a complex, apparently balanced cytogenetic rearrangement, including a translocation breakpoint at 7q21.3 near the DSS1 gene. In addition to ectrodactyly of all four limbs, the patient has congenital deafness, submucous cleft palate, microcephaly, and mental retardation. This patient represents an additional case of syndromic ectrodactyly related to the SHFM1 gene region, which may be responsible for both syndromic and non-syndromic ectrodactyly.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗