Molecular evidence for derivation of metastatic cells from minor subclones of primary clear renal cell carcinomas

Chromosomal gains in the sarcomatoid transformation of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

The hallmark of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is multiple chromosomal losses from among chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10 and 17. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma with distant metastases or sarcomatoid transformation are uncommon and little is known about their chromosomal abnormalities. We collected six sarcomatoid chromophobe renal cell carcinomas and three primary chromophobe renal cell carcinomas with distant metastases. A cytogenetic analysis by fluorescent in situ hybridization on paraffin-embedded tissue was performed using centromeric probes for chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10 and 17. We found more than one signal in four of six (66%) sarcomatoid chromophobe renal cell carcinomas, in both sarcomatoid and adjacent epithelial components. Both primary chromophobe renal cell carcinomas and matched metastases showed single signals for all chromosomes studied in two cases and no abnormalities in the remaining case. We concluded that: (1) both epithelial and sarcomatoid components of sarcomatoid chromophobe renal cell carcinoma show different genetic abnormalities from those characteristic of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma; (2) sarcomatoid chromophobe renal cell carcinomas frequently have multiple gains (polysomy) of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10 and 17; (3) distant metastases show the same genetic patterns, usually chromosomal losses (monosomy), found in the primary tumors.

The identification of chromosome abnormalities associated with the invasive phenotype of uveal melanoma in vitro

Tumour cell cultures are often highly heterogeneous, containing sub-populations of cells with differing characteristics. To identify chromosome abnormalities that are associated with the invasive phenotype, we isolated highly invasive uveal melanoma cell populations using the Transwell assay. Using this invasion assay, invasive sub-populations of primary uveal melanoma short-term cultures, and an established cell line, were specifically isolated. A series of sequential assays were undertaken to enrich the invasive population, and the enhanced invasive ability was confirmed by Transwell invasion assay. Chromosome abnormalities in invasive and parental cells were identified by karyotyping and confirmed by comparative genome hybridisation. Invasive sub-populations of uveal melanoma cells were isolated from 3 uveal melanoma short term cultures and a uveal melanoma cell line. In all cases, invasive sub-populations had either acquired additional chromosome abnormalities to those present in the parental cell line, or other abnormalities present in the parental lines were lost. In the established cell line (SOM 157), invasive cells were characterised by widespread chromosomal instability, frequent telomere associations and additional copies of chromosome 20. The invasive phenotype of SOM 196 associated with the presence of a derivative chromosome 5, der(5)t(5;11)(q35;q12) whilst a translocation t(17;20)(q12;q13) was predominant amongst non-invasive cells. In two additional cultures, deletions on chromosome 6q were associated with reduced invasive ability. In conclusion, highly invasive populations of uveal melanoma cells demonstrate chromosomal abnormalities that differ from non-invasive cells. These include chromosome instability and abnormalities of chromosome 20, observations echoing those seen in metastatic uveal melanoma.

Genetic profile of bone metastases in renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to define specific genetic alterations which are common in bone metastases in renal cancer patients.

METHODS

Tumor DNA from 31 metastases and 13 related primary tumors was extracted from paraffin embedded tissue sections. DOP-PCR was performed to amplify the whole DNA. After labelling by PCR, CGH was performed according to standard protocols.

RESULTS

The mean number of aberrations per metastasis was 6.3 (1-13). Losses of chromosomes 3p (76%), 6 (20%), 8p (20%), 9 (34%), 14q (27%) and 18 (20%) as well as gains of chromosomes 5 (45%), 8q (34%) and 17 (27%) were detected frequently. Thirteen related primary tumors were also investigated. In 7 cases, at least one identical alteration was found in both primary tumor and metastases. In these cases, the number of alterations was mostly higher in primary tumors than in metastases without statistical significance. However, in general, the frequency of alterations was higher in metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma are characterized by typical genetic alterations. Changes leading to metastasizing happen early in tumor pathogenesis. However, further accumulation of genetic changes occurs in metastases leading to a more complex genetic pattern which might be necessary for progression to clinically relevant metastases.

Relevance of nuclear and cytoplasmic von hippel lindau protein expression for renal carcinoma progression

Alterations of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor-suppressor gene (VHL) on 3p25-p26 are frequent in clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). The VHL protein (pVHL) is implicated in cell-cycle control and gene regulation, and requires transcription-dependent nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking for its function. There are two biologically active VHL protein isoforms: pVHL(30) and pVHL(19). To study prevalence, subcellular expression and biological significance of pVHL in renal tumors, tissue microarrays with renal-cell carcinomas were immunohistochemically examined for pVHL expression. Antibodies against both protein isoforms (anti-pVHL(30)/pVHL(19)) and against pVHL(30) (anti-pVHL(30); Ig33) were used. The anti-pVHL(30)/pVHL(19) antibody showed nuclear and cytoplasmic pVHL expression, whereas the anti-pVHL(30) antibody (Ig33) detected cytoplasmic pVHL expression, suggesting that the distribution of VHL protein isoforms varies in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of renal tumors. There were 175 of 398 primary clear-cell RCCs (44%) with both nuclear and cytoplasmic pVHL expression. Seventy-seven clear-cell RCCs (19%) showed only nuclear, 22 (6%) showed only cytoplasmic, and 124 tumors (31%) showed no pVHL expression. Notably, combined nuclear and cytoplasmic pVHL expression was associated with low histological grade (P < 0.0001), early tumor stage (P < 0.01), and better prognosis (P < 0.01). These results imply that alteration of subcellular pVHL trafficking is of potential relevance for the biological behavior of clear-cell RCC.