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Molecular genetic study comparing follicular variant versus classic papillary thyroid carcinomas: association of N-ras mutation in codon 61 with follicular variant.

Although the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) has been classified as a papillary cancer based on nuclear features, its follicular growth pattern and potential for hematogenous spread are more characteristic of follicular carcinoma. To gain insight into the biologic nature of FVPTC, we compared genetic alterations characteristic of papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas in 24 FVPTCs and 26 classic PTC (CPTCs). In FVPTCs, we observed ras mutation in 6 of 24 cases (25%), BRAF mutation in 1 of 13 cases (7.6%), and ret rearrangement in 5 of 12 cases (41.7%). In CPTCs, we found ras mutation in no case, BRAF mutation in 3 of 10 cases (30%), and ret rearrangement in 5 of 11 cases (45%). One FVPTC exhibited simultaneous ras mutation and ret/PTC1 rearrangement, and one CPTC harbored simultaneous BRAF mutation and ret/PTC3 rearrangement. Based on these findings, we concluded that ras mutation correlates with follicular differentiation of thyroid tumors whereas ret activation is associated with papillary nuclei but not with papillary architecture. ret activation is not exclusive of ras or BRAF mutation, whereas ras and BRAF mutations are mutually exclusive. The implications of these results for follicular and papillary carcinogenesis are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

BRAF somatic mutations in malignant melanoma and melanocytic naevi.

BRAF somatic mutations are frequently found in primary and metastatic melanomas and melanocytic naevi. Commonly found BRAF mutants stimulate constitutive RAF/MEK (mitogen-activated ERK-activating kinase)/ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway activation and act as transforming oncogenes in NIH-3T3 cells and immortalized murine melanocytes. The most common BRAF mutation is the V600E alteration, but over 30 distinct BRAF mutations, varying in biological activity, have been found and may be predictive of clinically relevant tumour differences. The origin of these acquired mutations remains unknown, but melanomas have a different BRAF mutational spectrum from other tumours, possibly resulting from unique environmental exposures. In melanoma cases, BRAF mutations are frequently found in superficial spreading or nodular histological subtypes, in tumours on intermittently sun-exposed sites and in younger patients. Although evidence indicates that the activation of the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway influences the proliferation, invasion and survival of melanoma cells in vitro, the exact role of BRAF mutation in melanoma tumour progression, maintenance and outcome remains controversial. In addition, although BRAF and NRAS mutations are mutually exclusive in melanomas, other genetic events may complement BRAF mutation to produce biological activity similar to NRAS mutation. Nonetheless, preclinical and early clinical studies predict that RAF/MEK/ERK pathway inhibitors will have therapeutic activity towards melanoma, but that tumour subclassification by BRAF/NRAS mutational status may be necessary to evaluate their efficacy.

Animals↗

Nucleic acid sequence analysis of the precore region of hepatitis B virus from sera of southern African black adult carriers of the virus.

Our purpose was to ascertain if mutations of the precore region of the hepatitis B virus genome, in particular the 1896 stop codon mutation, are responsible for the 95% hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negativity rate in southern African black adult carriers. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was extracted from the serum of 57 asymptomatic carriers (42 HBeAg-negative; 15 HBeAg-positive), the precore region was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequenced. Six carriers (14.6%) had mutations known to prevent HBeAg synthesis: 4 involved the precore initiation codon (1814), and one created a stop codon at 1874. The 1896 mutation occurred alone in one carrier only (2.4%). The infrequency of the 1896 mutation can be explained by the high prevalence (70%) of the adw subtype in the carriers studied. Inter alia, adw differs from ayw in that codon 15 is comprised of CCC instead of CCT. The presence of C instead of T in position 1858 precludes the G-to-A mutation at 1896 because the coexistence of these two mutations would destabilize the stem-loop structure of the RNA encapsidation signal, a finding confirmed by our observation that the CCC polymorphism and the 1896 mutation were mutually exclusive. Ten HBeAg-negative carriers (24%) had a missense mutation at position 1862 in the bulge of the RNA encapsidation signal, which may possibly affect HBeAg expression by interfering with either priming of reverse transcription or signal peptide cleavage. We conclude that the 1896 stop codon mutation accounts for a minority only of HBeAg-negative black carriers. A missense mutation in the bulge of the encapsidation signal may contribute to HBeAg negativity.

Adult↗

Genotyping of an Italian papillary thyroid carcinoma cohort revealed high prevalence of BRAF mutations, absence of RAS mutations and allowed the detection of a new mutation of BRAF oncoprotein (BRAF(V599lns)).

OBJECTIVES: The genes RET and RAS, and more recently BRAF, have been shown to be frequently mutated in human papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). The aim of this study was to genotype for these mutations a cohort of thyroid tumours collected at our institutions. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Thyroid tumours removed from 51 subjects were analysed, including 43 PTC and 8 non-PTC tumours [3 follicular adenomas (FA), 4 follicular carcinomas (FTC) and 1 anaplastic carcinoma (AC)]. MEASUREMENTS: RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 expression was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, whereas screening of BRAF (exon 15) and RAS (HRAS, KRAS2 and NRAS) mutations were performed, respectively, by single strand conformation polymorphism and denaturing high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: RET/PTC expressions was positive in 5/43 (11.6%) PTC and in none of the non-PTC tumour. Similarly, BRAF mutations were positive only in PTC, but with a higher prevalence (24/43 positives, 55.8%). All but one BRAF mutation resulted in the prototypic substitution of valine 600 with a glutamic acid. In one case, a somatic in-frame insertion of three bases at codon 599 resulted in the insertion of an additional valine. RET/PTC expression and BRAF mutations were mutually exclusive. Screening of the RAS gene allowed identification of oncogenic mutations in 1/3 (33.3%) FA and 3/4 (75%) FTC. None of the PTCs was positive for RAS. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that BRAF mutations are the most frequent genetic event in PTC and that RAS mutations, besides being a genetic hallmark of follicular tumours, are rare or completely absent in PTC from our area. Together, BRAF mutations and rarer RET rearrangements accounted for a genetic event in two-thirds of PTCs. This study showed a novel and presumably oncogenic mutation of BRAF, which is BRAF(V599Ins).

Adult↗

Hepatocellular Carcinoma With JAK1 Mutations Harbors Distinct Histologic Features and Specific Mutational Hotspots in an Asian Cohort.

The pathogenesis and clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) harboring JAK1 mutation have not been reported. Sixty inflammatory hepatocellular adenoma-like HCCs (IHA-like HCCs) and 16 IHAs were analyzed using targeted next-generation sequencing. Nearly all IHA-like HCCs (n=59, 98%) showed positive SAA/CRP expression. Genetic alterations of the JAK/STAT pathway were detected in 35 (58%) IHA-like HCCs, encompassing mutations in JAK1 (n=22), STAT3 (n=8), and IL6ST (n=5). Nine (56%) IHAs harbored mutations in STAT3 (n=3), IL6ST (n=4), GNAS (n=1), and FRK (n=1). All the mutations occurred in a mutually exclusive manner. JAK1 mutations were frequent (22/60, 37%) in IHA-like HCCs. JAK1-mutated IHA-like HCCs displayed distinctive cytologic characteristics, including abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, vesicular chromatin, and prominent central nucleoli. Recurrent hotspot JAK1 mutations were identified at S703, S729, and L910. Surveillance for JAK1 mutations in the HCC genomics of other cohorts also revealed recurrent mutations at S703, S729, and L910. In particular, the S703 and S729 mutations were strongly associated with the features of Asian ethnicity, presence of chronic viral hepatitis, and hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. In conclusion, JAK1 mutations were frequent in HCC with IHA-like morphology in an Asian cohort. JAK1 mutation exhibited recurrent and specific hotspot mutations at S703, S729, and L910 in HCC. Patients diagnosed with JAK1-mutated HCC may be eligible for JAK-targeted molecular therapy.

JAK therapeutics↗

APC mutations in sporadic medulloblastomas.

The cerebellar medulloblastoma (WHO Grade IV) is a highly malignant, invasive embryonal tumor with preferential manifestation in children. Several molecular alterations appear to be involved, including isochromosome 17q and the p53, PTCH, and beta-catenin gene mutations. In this study, 46 sporadic medulloblastomas were screened for the presence of mutations in genes of the Wnt signaling pathway (APC and beta-catenin). Single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis followed by direct DNA sequencing revealed 3 miscoding APC mutations in 2 (4.3%) medulloblastomas. One case contained a GCA-->GTA mutation at codon 1296 (Ala-->Val), and another case had double point mutations at codons 1472 (GTA-->ATA, Val-->Ile) and 1495 (AGT-->GGT, Ser-->Gly). Miscoding beta-catenin mutations were detected in 4 tumors (8.7%). Three of these were located at codon 33 (TCT -->TTT, Ser-->Phe) and another at codon 37 (TCT-->GCT, Ser-->Ala). Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene and beta-catenin mutations were mutually exclusive and occurred in a total of 6 of 46 cases (13%). Although germline APC mutations are a well established cause of familial colon and brain tumors (Turcot syndrome), this study provides the first evidence that APC mutations are also operative in a subset of sporadic medulloblastomas.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗

Incidence and prognosis of c-KIT and FLT3 mutations in core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukaemias.

DNA from 110 adult de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients exhibiting either inv(16) (n = 63) or t(8;21) (n = 47) was screened for mutations in the c-KIT (exon 8 and Asp816) and FLT3 (ITD and Asp835) genes. c-KIT exon 8 mutations were found in 15/63 (23.8%) inv(16) patients and 1/47 (2.1%) t(8;21) patients. c-KIT Asp816 mutations were present in 5/63 (7.9%) inv(16) AML and 5/47 (10.6%) t(8;21) AML. FLT3 mutations were identified in five patients (7.9%) with inv(16) and three patients (5.6%) with t(8;21) AML. All mutations were mutually exclusive; 40% of inv(16) AML patients possessed either a c-KIT or FLT3 mutation. c-KIT exon 8 mutations were shown to be a significant factor adversely affecting relapse rate.

Acute Disease↗

Frequent somatic mutations in PTEN and TP53 are mutually exclusive in the stroma of breast carcinomas.

We have recently shown that loss of heterozygosity of specific markers, including those at 10q23, 17p13-p15 and 16q24, can occur in the stromal and epithelial compartments of primary invasive breast carcinomas. Here, we demonstrate high frequencies of somatic mutations in TP53 (encoding tumor protein p53) and PTEN (encoding phosphate and tensin homolog) in breast neoplastic epithelium and stroma. Mutations in TP53 and PTEN are mutually exclusive in either compartment. In contrast, mutations in WFDC1 (16q24, encoding WAP four-disulfide core domain 1) occur with low frequency in the stroma.

Base Sequence↗

EGFR mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer: analysis of a large series of cases and development of a rapid and sensitive method for diagnostic screening with potential implications on pharmacologic treatment.

PURPOSE: It has been reported that EGFR mutations in lung carcinomas make the disease more responsive to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We decided to evaluate the prevalence of EGFR mutations in a large series of non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) and to develop a rapid and sensitive screening method. PATIENTS AND METHODS We examined 860 consecutive NSCLC patients for EGFR mutations in exons 18, 19, and 21 using a dual technical approach--direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products and PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Moreover, all lung adenocarcinomas were analyzed for K-ras mutations at codon 12 by allele-specific oligoprobe hybriditations. RESULTS: There were no EGFR mutations in 454 squamous carcinomas and 31 large cell carcinomas investigated. Thirty-nine mutations were found in the series of 375 adenocarcinomas (10%). Mutations were present in 26% of 86 bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs) and in 6% of 289 conventional lung adenocarcinomas; P = .000002. EGFR mutations and K-ras mutations were mutually exclusive. A multivariable analysis revealed that BAC histotype, being a never smoker, and female sex were independently associated with EGFR mutations (odds ratios: 4.542, 3.632, and 2.895, respectively). The SSCP analysis was accurate and sensitive, allowing identification of mutations that were undetectable (21% of cases) by direct sequencing. CONCLUSION: Mutations in the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain define a new molecular type of lung carcinoma, more frequent in particular subsets of patients. The SSCP assay is a rapid and reliable method for the detection of EGFR kinase domain mutations in lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Comprehensive Somatic Profiling of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) is rising, yet their biological heterogeneity and variable response to treatments remain poorly understood. Comprehensive genomic characterization may uncover somatic drivers and inform biomarker-driven therapeutic strategies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinically ordered next-generation sequencing (NGS) results from tumor samples of 111 patients with confirmed GEP-NENs treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2020 and 2022. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic mutations were identified using OncoKB, CHASMplus, and COSMIC databases. Mutational patterns were correlated with clinical characteristics and overall survival using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In this retrospective study of 111 patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs), somatic pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations were identified in 79% of cases. The most frequent alterations involved TP53 (19%), MEN1 (17%), and chromatin remodeling genes such as DAXX (9%) and ATRX (6%). Notably, we also identified a subset of patients (9%) patients with mutations typically associated with hematologic malignancies. Distinct co-mutation and mutual exclusivity patterns were observed between pancreatic and non-pancreatic NENs. Poorly differentiated or high-grade tumors correlated with mutations in TP53, KRAS, and CDKN2A. Mutations in KRAS, DAXX/ATRX, and hematologic malignancy-associated genes were independently associated with worse overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals distinct somatic mutation patterns in GEP-NENs associated with tumor differentiation, grade, primary site, and survival. The identification of hematologic malignancy-associated mutations in a subset of GEP-NENs suggests possible shared molecular phenotypes with poor prognostic implications. The presence of KRAS mutations supports exploring pan-RAS inhibitors as potential therapies in select patients. These findings highlight the clinical utility of genomic profiling in GEP-NENs.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms↗

Detection of an unusual combination of mutations in the HFE gene for hemochromatosis.

In the present paper, we describe an individual, found as part of a screening study, being homozygous for the C282Y mutation and at the same time heterozygous for the H63D mutation in the HFE gene. Identical results were obtained by three different methods, i.e., by PCR-RFLP, by sequencing, and by melting curve analysis. Thus, the common conception that the C282Y and the H63D mutations are mutually exclusive is not valid. Clinical symptoms and laboratory data on the individual were similar to hemochromatosis patients homozygous for the C282Y mutation. The implications of our finding for diagnostic analytical laboratory procedures are briefly discussed.

Adult↗

Deregulation of the p14ARF/Mdm2/p53 pathway and G1/S transition in two glioblastoma sets.

Sixty-one glioblastomas have been studied, subdivided into the categories of classic glioblastomas (GBM) and glioblastomas with astrocytic (GBA) and oligodendroglial (GBO) differentiated areas. On surgical samples, TP53, Mdm2, CDKN2A/p16-p14 alterations were studied by molecular biology techniques and by immunohistochemistry. It has been found that Mdm2 amplification was more frequent in GBM than in GBA and GBO, that p14ARF was inactivated in a high percentage of cases in the three tumor categories. Both these and other alterations did not reach a statistical significance, with the exception of CDKN2A/p16 homozygous deletion which showed the highest frequency in GBO. The latter finding could be in line with the observation that CDKN2A/p16 inactivation is a step in the molecular pathway to tumor progression in oligodendrogliomas. TP53 mutations and Mdm2 amplifications were mutually exclusive, whereas TP53 mutations and CDKN2A/p14 inactivation coexisted in 5 cases. The alterations of the p53/Mdm2/p14ARF pathway occurred in 73% of cases and in 80% of cases if CDKN2A homozygous deletions were associated. All glioblastomas with gemistocytic areas showed p14ARF inactivation. Immunohistochemistry showed higher percentages of positivity in comparison with molecular genetics, but with similar variations.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Oncogenic PI3K and its role in cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to examine the contribution of the PI3K signaling pathway to the development of human tumors and to propose further studies to elucidate how to develop therapeutics for patients with mutations in this pathway. RECENT FINDINGS: More than 30% of various solid tumor types were recently found to contain mutations in PIK3CA, the catalytic subunit of PI3K. Further analysis of key genes in this pathway identified an additional eight genes altered in tumors. These were generally found to be mutated in a mutually exclusive manner, thus increasing the mutation frequency of the pathway to 40% in colorectal cancers and emphasizing the importance of the PI3K pathway in tumorigenesis. Functional analyses of PIK3CA mutations revealed that they increase its enzymatic activity, stimulate AKT signaling, allow growth factor-independent growth as well as increasing cell invasion and metastasis. SUMMARY: The PI3K signaling pathway is dysregulated by a variety of mechanisms in a large fraction of human tumors. Both mutational and functional analyses have shown that PIK3CA is an oncogene that plays an important role in tumor progression. Mutant members of the PI3K pathway, including PIK3CA, are good targets for therapeutic intervention because most of them are kinases, making them attractive for drug development. Gaining further insights into PIK3CA oncogenic mechanisms may produce new biomarkers and help the development of targeted therapeutics.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗

BRAF mutations and phosphorylation status of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the development of flat and depressed-type colorectal neoplasias.

Although some molecular differences between flat-depressed neoplasias (FDNs) and protruding neoplasias (PNs) have been reported, it is uncertain if the BRAF mutations or the status of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK) are different between theses two groups. We evaluated the incidence of BRAF and KRAS mutations, high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H), and the immunohistochemical status of p-MAPK in the nonserrated neoplasias (46 FDNs and 57 PNs). BRAF mutations were detected in four FDNs (9%) and none of PNs (P=0.0369 by Fisher's exact test). KRAS mutations were observed in none of FDNs and in 14 PNs (25%; P=0.0002 by Fisher's exact test). MSI-H was detected in seven out of 44 FDNs (16%) and in one out of 52 of PNs (2%) (P=0.022 by Fisher's exact test). Type B and C immunostaining for p-MAPK was observed in 34 out of 46 FDNs (72%), compared with 24 out of 55 PNs (44%; P=0.0022 by chi(2) test). There was no significant difference in the type B and C immunostaining of p-MAPK between FDNs with and without BRAF mutations. BRAF and KRAS mutations are mutually exclusive in the morphological characteristics of colorectal nonserrated neoplasia. Abnormal accumulation of p-MAPK protein is more likely to be implicated in the tumorigenesis of FDNs than of PNs. However, this abnormality in FDNs might occur via the genetic alteration other than BRAF or KRAS mutation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Somatic mutations of the HER2 kinase domain in lung adenocarcinomas.

Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) in lung cancers predict for sensitivity to EGFR kinase inhibitors. HER2 (also known as NEU, EGFR2, or ERBB2) is a member of the EGFR family of receptor tyrosine kinases and plays important roles in the pathogenesis of certain human cancers, and mutations have recently been reported in lung cancers. We sequenced the tyrosine kinase domain of HER2 in 671 primary non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), 80 NSCLC cell lines, and 55 SCLCs and other neuroendocrine lung tumors as well as 85 other epithelial cancers (breast, bladder, prostate, and colorectal cancers) and compared the mutational status with clinicopathologic features and the presence of EGFR or KRAS mutations. HER2 mutations were present in 1.6% (11 of 671) of NSCLC and were absent in other types of cancers. Only one adenocarcinoma cell line (NCI-H1781) had a mutation. All HER2 mutations were in-frame insertions in exon 20 and target the identical corresponding region as did EGFR insertions. HER2 mutations were significantly more frequent in never smokers (3.2%, 8 of 248; P=0.02) and adenocarcinoma histology (2.8%, 11 of 394; P=0.003). In 394 adenocarcinoma cases, HER2 mutations preferentially targeted Oriental ethnicity (3.9%) compared with other ethnicities (0.7%), female gender (3.6%) compared with male gender (1.9%) and never smokers (4.1%) compared with smokers (1.4%). Mutations in EGFR, HER2, and KRAS genes were never present together in individual tumors and cell lines. The remarkable similarities of mutations in EGFR and HER2 genes involving tumor type and subtype, mutation type, gene location, and specific patient subpopulations targeted are unprecedented and suggest similar etiologic factors. EGFR, HER2, and KRAS mutations are mutually exclusive, suggesting different pathways to lung cancer in smokers and never smokers.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Somatic instability of the APC I1307K allele in colorectal neoplasia.

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is proposed to function as a gatekeeper of colorectal neoplasia. A germ-line variant of this gene, the APC I1307K allele, is present in approximately 6% of the Ashkenazi Jewish population. To assess the role in tumorigenesis of the variant (A)8 tract produced by this allele, we undertook a somatic mutation analysis of the region surrounding codon 1307 in colorectal tumors from APC I1307K carriers. Somatic mutations involving the variant (A)8 tract were identified in 53 of 127 (42%) tumors from APC I1307K carriers compared with 5 of 127 (4%) mutations involving the wild-type allele of these tumors (P < 0.0001). Loss of heterozygosity of the wild-type allele was significantly more common in tumors with APC I1307K allele mutations (25 of 41, 61%) compared with APC I1307K carrier tumors without mutation of the variant (A)8 tract (12 of 53, 23%; P < 0.0005). This somatic biallelic APC inactivation further confirms the biological importance of the I1307K germ-line variant. The vast majority of APC I1307K somatic mutations consisted of a single adenine insertion (insA) involving the variant (A)8 tract. This insA mutation was mutually exclusive of the presence of microsatellite instability with 0 of 49 tumors with insA displaying BAT-26 instability compared with 9 of 78 tumors without insA (P=0.01). These findings support a model where somatic instability of the (A)8 tract produced by the APC I1307K allele leads to increased APC gene inactivation and directly accounts for 42% of the colorectal neoplasms occurring in APC I1307K carriers.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Phenotype versus genotype correlation in oligodendrogliomas and low-grade diffuse astrocytomas.

Oligodendrogliomas typically show loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 1p and 19q, which correlates with their response to chemotherapy, whereas low-grade astrocytomas are characterized by frequent TP53 mutations and lack of sensitivity to alkylating therapeutic agents. Unequivocal histological distinction of low-grade diffuse astrocytomas from oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas is often difficult. To elucidate the relationships between morphological phenotype and genetic profile, we screened 19 oligodendrogliomas (WHO grade II) and 23 low-grade diffuse astrocytomas (WHO grade II) for TP53 mutations and LOH on 1p and 19q. In oligodendrogliomas, LOH on chromosomes 1p and/or 19q was found in 15 cases (79%) and TP53 mutation was detected in 4 cases (21%). The presence of a typical perinuclear halo in >50% of tumour cells and a chicken-wire vascular pattern were significantly associated with LOH on 1p or 19q (93% of cases). This suggests that oligodendrogliomas with classical histologic features are likely to have a better prognosis. In low-grade diffuse astrocytomas, LOH on chromosomes 1p and/or 19q was found in three cases (13%) and TP53 mutation was detected in ten cases (43%). Histologically, five low-grade astrocytomas (22%) contained small areas with oligodendroglial differentiation, but this did not correlate with the presence of TP53 mutations or LOH on 1p and 19q. In both oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas, LOH on chromosomes 1p or 19q and TP53 mutation were mutually exclusive. Methylation of the promoter of the gene for O (6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a DNA repair protein, which confers resistance to chemotherapy with alkylating agents, was detected in 47% of oligodendrogliomas and 48% of low-grade diffuse astrocytomas. There was no correlation with LOH on chromosomes 1p/19q, suggesting that MGMT may not be a prognostic marker for oligodendrogliomas.

Adult↗

Delocalization and destabilization of the Arf tumor suppressor by the leukemia-associated NPM mutant.

One third of acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) are characterized by the aberrant cytoplasmic localization of nucleophosmin (NPM) due to mutations within its putative nucleolar localization signal. NPM mutations are mutually exclusive with major AML-associated chromosome rearrangements and are frequently associated with a normal karyotype, suggesting that they are critical during leukemogenesis. The underlying molecular mechanisms are, however, unknown. NPM is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that has been implicated in several cellular processes, including ribosome biogenesis, centrosome duplication, cell cycle progression, and stress response. It has been recently shown that NPM is required for the stabilization and proper nucleolar localization of the tumor suppressor p19(Arf). We report here that the AML-associated NPM mutant localizes mainly in the cytoplasm due to an alteration of its nucleus-cytoplasmic shuttling equilibrium, forms a direct complex with p19(Arf), but is unable to protect it from degradation. Consequently, cells or leukemic blasts expressing the NPM mutant have low levels of cytoplasmic Arf. Furthermore, we show that expression of the NPM mutant reduces the ability of Arf to initiate a p53 response and to induce cell cycle arrest. Inactivation of p19(Arf), a key regulator of the p53-dependent cellular response to oncogene expression, might therefore contribute to leukemogenesis in AMLs with mutated NPM.

Acute Disease↗