Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0596263 (carcinogenesis)
 64,820 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Morphologically, early colorectal tumors are divided into two groups, protruded-type tumors and flat-type tumors. Although some studies have shown genetic alterations in protruded-type tumors, little is known about genetic and epigenetic alterations in flat-type tumors, as well as pT1 (early invasive) colorectal cancers (CRCs). In the current study, we compared the frequencies of genetic and epigenetic alterations of the RAS-RAF and Wnt signaling pathways in flat-type and protruded-type tumors. In addition, we investigated the relationship between those alterations and invasive potential of pT1 CRCs. Methylations of RASSF2, O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (WIF-1), EPHB2, CDKN2A and MLH1 were detected in 44.3, 30.3, 81.4, 7.5, 43.6 and 13.4% of the 307 early colorectal tumors, respectively. Mutations of KRAS, BRAF, catalytic subunit alpha of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PIK3CA) and beta-catenin were detected in 25.4, 4.6, 1.6 and 9.4% of those tumors, respectively. Methylations of MGMT, WIF-1 and CDKN2A were detected in significantly higher percentages of protruded-type tumors than in flat-type tumors. Mutation of at least one gene was detected in a significantly higher percentage of flat-type tumors than in protruded-type tumors. RASSF2 methylation was correlated significantly with KRAS, BRAF or PIK3CA mutation. Multiple logistic analysis showed that lymphatic invasion and RASSF2 methylation with KRAS, BRAF or PIK3CA mutation were independent risk factors for venous invasion in pT1 CRCs. In conclusion, since genetic alterations of these pathways have frequently occurred in flat-type tumors, flat-type tumors seem to have a distinct genetic profile different from that of protruded-type tumors. RASSF2 methylation with oncogenic activation is a promising biomarker for predicting invasive potential of pT1 CRCs.
Carcinogenesis 2007 Jun
PMID:Genetic and epigenetic profiling in early colorectal tumors and prediction of invasive potential in pT1 (early invasive) colorectal cancers. 1718 69

We evaluated alterations in p53, PIK3CA, PTEN, CTNNB1 (beta-catenin), MLH1, and BRAF among common histological subsets of epithelial ovarian tumors to characterize patterns of alterations of different molecular pathways. There were 12 clear cell, 26 endometrioid, and 51 serous carcinomas evaluated by direct DNA sequencing for mutations in p53, PIK3CA, PTEN, BRAF, and CTNNB1. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assessed MLH1 promoter methylation status. Quantitative PCR identified PIK3CA amplification in 22 EC/CC and 94 SC. p53 mutations were identified in 25 (49%) of 51 SC, 11 (42%) of 26 EC, and 1 (8.3%) of 12 CC neoplasms and were more common in grade 3 EC (P = .045) and advanced-stage EC/CC (P = .007). PIK3CA mutations were identified in 3 (25%) of 12 CC, 3 (12%) of 26 EC, and 0 of 51 SC. PTEN mutations were significantly more common in EC (8/26, 31%) compared with CC (0/12; P = .04) and SC (2/51, 4%; P = .002). CTNNB1 mutations were identified, 6 (23%) EC and no CC or SC (P = .008). Both PTEN and CTNNB1 mutations were more common in low-grade EC/CC, whereas PIK3CA mutations occurred only in grade 3 cancers. PTEN and PIK3CA mutations were more common in p53 wild-type tumors (P = .003). PIK3CA amplification occurred in fewer EC/CC (0/22) versus SC (19/94, 20%; P = 0.02) and were slightly more common in p53 wild-type compared with p53 mutant SC (P = .08). Of 26 EC, 22 (85%) had a mutation in one of the genes studied compared with 4 33% of 12 CC (P = .003). Women with EC/CC had significantly better overall survival (P = .0008), and this remained significant after accounting for stage (P=.04). Mutations in p53 or in PTEN/PIK3CA are alternative pathways in ovarian carcinogenesis. Activation of PIK3CA occurs by gene amplification in SC but via somatic mutation of PIK3CA or PTEN in EC and CC. PIK3CA mutations are associated with high-grade tumors, whereas PTEN and CTNNB1 mutations are associated with low-grade tumors. Mutations in p53, PIK3CA, PTEN, and CTNNB1 account for most EC tumors; most CC remain unexplained. EC/CC histology is a favorable prognostic factor.
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PMID:Alternate molecular genetic pathways in ovarian carcinomas of common histological types. 1725 89

We report the molecular characterization of 8 primary gastric carcinomas, corresponding xenografts, and 2 novel gastric carcinoma cell lines. We compared the tumors and cell lines, with respect to histology, immunohistochemistry, copy number, and hypermethylation of up to 38 genes using methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and TP53 and CDH1 mutation analysis where relevant. The primary tumors and xenografts were histologically comparable and shared expression of 11 of 14 immunohistochemical markers (E-cadherin, beta-catenin, COX-2, p53, p16, TFF1, cyclin E, MLH1, SMAD4, p27, KLK3, CASR, CHFR, and DAPK1). Gains of CASR, DAPK1, and KLK3--not yet described in gastric cancer--were present in the primary tumors, xenografts, and cell lines. The most prominent losses occurred at CDKN2A (p16), CDKN2B (p15), CDKN1B (p27/KIP1), and ATM. Except for ATM, these losses were found only in the cell line or xenograft, suggesting an association with tumor progression. However, examination of p16 and p27 in 174 gastric cancers using tissue microarrays revealed no significant correlation with tumor stage or lymph node status. Further losses and hypermethylation were detected for MLH1, CHFR, RASSF1, and ESR, and were also seen in primary tumors. Loss of CHFR expression correlated significantly with the diffuse phenotype. Interestingly, we found the highest rate of methylation in primary tumors which gave rise to cell lines. In addition, both cell lines harbored mutations in CDH1, encoding E-cadherin. Xenografts and gastric cancer cell lines remain an invaluable research tool in the uncovering of the multistep progression of cancer. The frequent gains, losses, and hypermethylation reported in this study indicate that the involved genes or chromosomal regions may be relevant to gastric carcinogenesis.
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PMID:Molecular analysis of primary gastric cancer, corresponding xenografts, and 2 novel gastric carcinoma cell lines reveals novel alterations in gastric carcinogenesis. 1737 10

This study investigated associations between CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) colon cancer and genetic polymorphisms relevant to one-carbon metabolism and thus, potentially the provision of methyl groups and risk of colon cancer. Data from a large, population-based case-control study (916 incident colon cancer cases and 1,972 matched controls) were used. Candidate polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), thymidylate synthase (TS), transcobalamin II (TCNII), methionine synthase (MTR), reduced folate carrier (RFC), methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3) were evaluated. CIMP- or CIMP+ phenotype was based on five CpG island markers: MINT1, MINT2, MINT31, p16 and MLH1. The influence of specific dietary factors (folate, methionine, vitamin B(12) and alcohol) on these associations was also analyzed. We hypothesized that polymorphisms involved in the provision of methyl groups would be associated with CIMP+ tumors (two or more of five markers methylated), potentially modified by diet. Few associations specific to CIMP+ tumors were observed overall, which does not support the hypothesis that the provision of methyl groups is important in defining a methylator phenotype. However, our data suggest that genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR 1,298A > C, interacting with diet, may be involved in the development of highly CpG-methylated colon cancers. AC and CC genotypes in conjunction with a high-risk dietary pattern (low folate and methionine intake and high alcohol use) were associated with CIMP+ (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3-3.4 versus AA/high risk; P-interaction = 0.03). These results provide only limited support for a role of polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism in the etiology of CIMP colon cancer.
Carcinogenesis 2007 Aug
PMID:Genetic polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism: associations with CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) in colon cancer and the modifying effects of diet. 1744 6

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in Hungary as well as in the developed countries. The high cancer prevalence of the gastrointestinal tract is the result of the rapid turnover of epithelial cells and exposure to dietary toxins. Adult stem cells are in the lime-light of the medicine. The adult stem cells and tumor cells resemble to each other on the basis of their properties, like self-renewal and proliferation. Cancer is believed to be a disease of stem cells. Recent years have seen major advances in our understanding of location (niche), life cycle, regulation (Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway) and markers (mathusashi-1, beta-catenin) of gastrointestinal stem cells. The exact role of adult stem cells in intestinal carcinogenesis is open for debate. New works suggest the role for inflammation-induced engraftment of circulating marrow-derived stem cells in colorectal carcinogenesis. The causes of malignant transformation of local or engrafting bone marrow-derived stem cells are mutations (APC, MMR genes) or methylation (CDKN2A, p16/INK4a, MGMT, MLH1). The spread of dysplastic cells (bottom-up, top-down hypothesis) is also ambiguous.
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PMID:[Stem cell theory of colorectal cancer and its connection with molecular-biological data]. 1745 7

O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) repairs inappropriately methylated guanine residues in DNA. MGMT promoter methylation and gene silencing are common events in colorectal cancer, and may or may not co-exist with the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). To date, no study has examined the relationship between MGMT promoter methylation and common MGMT single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which have been associated with colorectal cancer risk. Utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction (MethyLight technology), we quantified DNA methylation in MGMT and eight other markers (a CIMP diagnostic panel including CACNA1G, CDKN2A, CRABP1, IGF2, MLH1, NEUROG1, RUNX3 and SOCS1 in 182 colorectal cancers collected from two prospective cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. We genotyped four MGMT germline SNPs in normal DNA and assessed microsatellite instability (MSI), 18q loss of heterozygosity and KRAS and BRAF status in tumors. The presence of a common MGMT promoter SNP (NM_002412.2:c.-56C>T) (rs16906252) was strongly associated with MGMT methylation (multivariate odds ratio 18.0; 95% confidence interval, 6.2-52.1, P < 0.0001). The presence of the c.-56C>T SNP was also associated with loss of MGMT expression in tumors (assessed by immunohistochemistry) (P = 0.009). This promoter SNP was not correlated with KRAS, BRAF, CIMP or MSI status. None of the other three non-promoter SNPs was significantly associated with any molecular changes tested. In conclusion, we have found a strong association between the germline polymorphism (c.-56C>T) of the MGMT promoter and promoter methylation/silencing of MGMT in colorectal cancer. Our data provide compelling evidence for common susceptibility for MGMT promoter CpG island methylation.
Carcinogenesis 2007 Sep
PMID:MGMT germline polymorphism is associated with somatic MGMT promoter methylation and gene silencing in colorectal cancer. 1762 91

The relationships between environmental factors and the genetic abnormalities that drive carcinogenesis are supported by experimental and epidemiologic evidence but their molecular basis has not been fully elucidated. At the genomic level, most human cancers display either chromosomal (CIN) or microsatellite (MIN) instability. The molecular mechanisms through which normal cells acquire these forms of instability are largely unknown. The arylamine 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) is a tobacco smoke constituent, an environmental contaminant, and a well-established carcinogen in humans. Among others, bladder, lung, colon, and breast cancers have been associated with 4-ABP. We have investigated the effects of 4-ABP and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) on genetically stable colorectal (HCT116) and bladder (RT112) cancer cells. Cells were treated with carcinogens to generate resistant clones that were then subjected to genetic analysis to assess whether they displayed either CIN or MIN. We found that 50% to 60% of cells treated with 4-ABP developed CIN but none developed MIN as confirmed by their ability to gain and lose chromosomes. In contrast, all MNNG-treated clones (12/12) developed MIN but none developed CIN as shown by the microsatellite assay. The mismatch repair protein expression analysis suggests that the acquired mechanism of MIN resistance in the HCT116 MNNG-treated cells is associated with the reduction or the complete loss of MLH1 expression. By providing a mechanistic link between exposure to a tobacco constituent and the development of CIN, our results contribute to a better understanding of the origins of genetic instability, one of the remaining unsolved problems in cancer research.
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PMID:Exposure to the tobacco smoke constituent 4-aminobiphenyl induces chromosomal instability in human cancer cells. 1767 Nov 75

O(6)-Methylguanine and O(6)-chloroethylguanine, which are the primary cytotoxic DNA lesions produced by 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (dacarbazine) and 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea (ACNU), respectively, can be repaired by O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), coded by the MGMT gene. However, the two types of drugs exhibit different effects on cells defective in both MGMT and MLH1 functions, the latter being related to the cellular activity to recognize mismatched bases of DNA for inducing apoptosis. Human cells deficient in both MGMT and MLH1 are resistant to the killing effect of dacarbazine and exhibit an increased mutant frequency after treatment with dacarbazine. On the other hand, these doubly deficient cells are sensitive to the killing action of ACNU and there is no significant increase in ACNU-induced mutant frequency. A mismatch recognition complex, composed of MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, PMS2 and PCNA, is formed after exposing MGMT-deficient cells to dacarbazine, but not in cells treated with ACNU. In contrast, the phosphorylation of Chk1 efficiently occurs in cells treated with dacarbazine as well as with ACNU, the former being in MLH1-dependent manner, whereas the latter in MLH1-independent manner. Therefore, the signals delivered from different sources would merge at the step of Chk1 activation or at an earlier step, and the subsequent process leading to apoptosis appears to be common.
Carcinogenesis 2007 Dec
PMID:Modes of actions of two types of anti-neoplastic drugs, dacarbazine and ACNU, to induce apoptosis. 1788 74

Heterozygous germ-line variants of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes predispose individuals to hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. Several independent reports have shown that individuals constitutionally homozygous for MMR allelic variants develop early onset hematological malignancies often associated to features of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) syndrome. The genetic mechanism of NF1 associated to MMR gene deficiency is not fully known. We report here that a child with this form of NF1 displays a heterozygous NF1 gene mutation (c.3721C>T), in addition to a homozygous MLH1 gene mutation (c.676C>T) leading to a truncated MLH1 protein (p.R226X). The parents did not display NF1 features nor the NF1 mutation. This new NF1 gene mutation is recurrent and predicts a truncated neurofibromin (p.R1241X) lacking its GTPase activating function, as well as all C-terminally located functional domains. Our findings suggest that NF1 disease observed in individuals homozygous for deleterious MMR variants may be due to a concomitant NF1 gene mutation. The presence of both homozygous MLH1 and heterozygous NF1 mutation in the child studied here also provides a mechanistic explanation for early onset malignancies that are observed in affected individuals. It also provides a model for cooperation between genetic alterations in human carcinogenesis.
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PMID:Homozygosity at variant MLH1 can lead to secondary mutation in NF1, neurofibromatosis type I and early onset leukemia. 1788 38

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency results in a strong mutator phenotype and high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H), which are the hallmarks of tumors arising within Lynch syndrome. MSI-H is characterized by length alterations within simple repeated sequences, microsatellites. Lynch syndrome is primarily due to germline mutations in one of the DNA MMR genes; mainly hMLH1 or hMSH2 and less frequently hMSH6 and rarely hPMS2. Germline hemiallelic methylation of MLH1, termed epimutation, has been reported to be a new cause of Lynch syndrome. MSI-H is also observed in approximately 15% of colorectal, gastric and endometrial cancers and in lower frequencies in a minority of other tumors, where it is associated with the hypermethylation of the promoter region of hMLH1. MSI-H underlies a distinctive tumorigenic pathway because cancers with MSI-H exhibit many differences in genotype and phenotype relative to cancers without MSI-H, irrespective of their hereditary or sporadic origins. Genetic, epigenetic and transcriptomic differences exist between cancers with and those without the MSI-H. The BRAF V600E mutation is associated with sporadic MSI-H colorectal cancers (CRCs) harboring hMLH1 methylation but not Lynch syndrome-related CRCs. The differences in genotype and phenotype between cancers with and those without MSI-H are likely to be causally linked to their differences in biological and clinical features. Therefore, the diagnosis of MSI-H in cancers is thus considered to be of increasing relevance, because MSI-H is a useful screening marker for identifying patients with Lynch syndrome, a better prognostic factor and could affect the efficacy of chemotherapy. This review addresses recent advances in the field of microsatellite instability research.
Carcinogenesis 2008 Apr
PMID:Carcinogenesis and microsatellite instability: the interrelationship between genetics and epigenetics. 1794 60


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