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Genetic heterogeneity in lung and colorectal carcinoma as revealed by microsatellite analysis in plasma or tumor tissue DNA
Author(s) -
BeauFaller Michèle,
Weber JeanChristophe,
Schneider Anne,
Guèrin Eric,
Gasser Bernard,
Ducrocq Xavier,
Jaeck Daniel,
Wihlm JeanMarie,
Quoix Elisabeth,
Gaub MariePierre
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.11324
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , microsatellite , primary tumor , allele , lung cancer , carcinoma , metastasis , loss of heterozygosity , pathology , tumor progression , lung , medicine , chromosome , genetic marker , cancer , cancer research , biology , oncology , genetics , gene
BACKGROUND Determination of tumor clonality has implications for molecular characterization and the optimal treatment of cancer. Allelotyping allows detection of the two alleles, maternal and paternal, and provides additional information regarding clonal genetic defects. The presence of allelic imbalances (AI) in tumors is a general event, but is not necessary at the same allele (alternative AI). The authors' goal was to determine whether the presence of alternative AI (AA) was a marker of heterogeneity and prognosis. METHODS To further analyze the heterogeneity of lung tumors, tumor DNA released in the plasma was compared with primary tumor DNA from 24 lung carcinoma patients. The comparison was performed by allelotyping using 12 microsatellites targeting 9 chromosomal regions, taking in each case leukocyte DNA as reference. To extend and confirm these observations, 26 primary colorectal carcinomas with paired synchronous liver metastasis were analyzed using an enlarged panel of 33 microsatellites. RESULTS AA were observed in 40% (20 of 50) of all patients, in 25% (6 of 24) of lung carcinoma patients but at a higher level, and in 54% (14 of 26) of colorectal carcinoma patients. They affected different chromosome localizations and each tumor stage. In both types of cancer, patients with AA had a higher AI mean frequency in their primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS Detection of AA is an original marker of heterogeneous tumors, demonstrating that independent events occurred on specific genetic sites required for cancer progression. Cancer 2003;97:2308–17. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11324