Mutation of K-ras protooncogene in human ovarian epithelial tumors of borderline malignancy

• Published in: Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.) Vol. 53; no. 7; pp. 1489 - 1492
• Main Authors: CHI-HO MOK, S, BELL, D. A, KNAPP, R. C, FISHBAUGH, P. M, WELCH, W. R, MUTO, M. G, BERKOWITZ, R. S, SAI-WAH TSAO
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA American Association for Cancer Research 01.04.1993
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - genetics; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - pathology; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Codon - genetics; Cystadenocarcinoma - genetics; Cystadenocarcinoma - pathology; DNA Mutational Analysis; Female; Female genital diseases; Genes, ras - genetics; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Medical sciences; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation - genetics; Ovarian Neoplasms - genetics; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Tumors; Human; Carcinoma; Pathogenesis; Exploration; Malignant tumor; Female genital diseases; Ovary; Tissue; C-Onc gene; Borderline malignant tumor; Mutation; Molecular biology; Protooncogene
• ISSN: 0008-5472; 1538-7445

The mutation of K-ras protooncogene was examined in 44 cases of borderline ovarian epithelial tumors and 18 cases of invasive ovarian carcinomas. In borderline tumors, K-ras mutations are a common feature, having been found in 21 of 44 cases (48%). Twenty of the 21 mutations were identified at codon 12, and one was identified at codon 13. A detailed analysis of the mutation pattern of K-ras revealed a close association with the histological cell types of the tumor. Mutation of K-ras was detected at a higher frequency in mucinous borderline tumor (identified in 12 of 19 cases) compared to serous borderline tumor (identified in 9 of 25 cases). K-ras mutation was also detected in invasive mucinous and serous ovarian carcinomas, hence supporting the notion that borderline ovarian tumors may represent a pathological continuum between benign and frankly invasive diseases.