Abnormalities in the p34cdc2-related PITSLRE protein kinase gene complex (CDC2L) on chromosome band 1p36 in melanoma

The two genes encoding the PITSLRE protein kinase isoforms, CDC2L1 and CDC2L2, are localized to human chromosome band 1p36. The PITSLRE protein kinases are a part of the p34cdc2 supergene family. Several protein products of the CDC2L locus may be effector(s) in apoptotic signaling. The larger PITSLRE p110 isoforms appear to regulate some aspect of RNA splicing/transcription during the cell cycle. One or more of these genes may function as tumor suppressor genes in melanoma. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, one allele of the CDC2L gene complex on chromosome 1 was either deleted or translocated in 8 of 14 different melanoma cell lines. We also observed mutations in the 5' promoter region of the CDC2L1 gene in four different cell lines relative to normal melanocytes using PCR-SSCP analysis and direct DNA sequencing. Western blot analysis revealed decreased level of PITSLRE protein expression in several cell lines, as well as in four surgical malignant melanoma specimens relative to normal melanocytes. Thus, the decreased PITSLRE protein expression appears to result from deletion of the CDC2L alleles and possibly by mutations within the 5' promoter region. We propose that aberrations in the CDC2L genes may contribute to the pathogenesis or progression of melanoma.

Inhibitory effect of six green tea catechins and caffeine on the growth of four selected human tumor cell lines

Green tea is an aqueous infusion of dried unfermented leaves of Camellia sinensis (family Theaceae) from which numerous biological activities have been reported including antimutagenic, antibacterial, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, antitumor and cancer preventive activities. From the aqueous-alcoholic extract of green tea leaves, six compounds (+)-gallocatechin (GC), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine, were isolated and purified. Together with (+)-catechin, these compounds were tested against each of four human tumor cells lines (MCF-7 breast carcinoma, HT-29 colon carcinoma, A-427 lung carcinoma and UACC-375 melanoma). The three most potent green tea components against all four tumor cell lines were EGCG, GC and EGC. EGCG was the most potent of the seven green tea components against three out of the four cell lines (i.e. MCF-7 breast cancer, HT-29 colon cancer and UACC-375 melanoma). On the basis of these extensive in vitro studies, it would be of considerable interest to evaluate all three of these components in comparative preclinical in vivo animal tumor model systems before final decisions are made concerning which of these potential chemopreventive drugs should be taken into broad clinical trials.

Detection of K-ras gene mutations in non-neoplastic lung tissue and lung cancers

Oncogene and tumor suppressor gene mutations are candidate biomarkers for cancer risk assessment and lesion detection. The K-ras oncogene has previously been associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly adenocarcinomas in which reported rates of mutation have approached 30-40%. We have analyzed non-malignant lung tissue from patients with lung cancer and primary lung cancers for K-ras gene mutations. Mutations were detected in 32% cancers and 29% non-malignant lung tissue from patients with cancer. The majority of tumors testing positive were adenocarcinoma of the lung. Normal DNA controls, including peripheral blood lymphocytes and normal lung from non-smokers, were negative. The ability to detect genetic alterations in non-malignant lung tissues is consistent with the concept that genetic alterations are involved in field cancerization of the aerodigestive tract.

Amplification of 19q13.1-q13.2 sequences in ovarian cancer. G-band, FISH, and molecular studies

In this study of ovarian carcinoma, we extended previous findings by performing FISH using chromosome 19 paint and microFISH probes and patient samples with and without abnormalities of chromosome 19 identified by G-banding. Karyotype interpretations of der(19) were confirmed, while additional 19 translocations were also detected by FISH with 19WCP in some cases. Similar FISH studies of ovarian carcinoma cell lines found chromosome 19 abnormalities even after extensive in vitro culture. MicroFISH probes were generated by chromosome microdissection from two cases with hsr(19) and mapped to 19q13.2 and 19q13.1-.2, respectively. FISH with these microFISH probes alone or in combination with a 19WCP probe to four patient samples and seven cell lines showed that 65% of chromosome 19 structural abnormalities contained 19q13.1-q13.2 sequences, sometimes as large hsrs. Ovarian cancer cell lines showed amplification and overexpression of the AKT2 putative oncogene, but not the ERCC-2 DNA repair gene in this chromosomal region. In addition to AKT2, amplification and overexpression of other yet-unidentified genes in the 19q13.1-q13.2 region may contribute to ovarian carcinoma pathogenesis or progression.

WR-1065, the active metabolite of amifostine (Ethyol), does not inhibit the cytotoxic effects of a broad range of standard anticancer drugs against human ovarian and breast cancer cells

Amifostine (WR-2721, Ethyol), a phosphorylated thiol, demonstrates the unique ability to protect normal but not tumour tissue from cytotoxic damage induced by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. This study tested the effect of amifostine's active metabolite, the free thiol, WR-1065, on the cytotoxicity of standard anticancer drugs against human A2780 ovarian and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines in vitro, using the well-characterised sulphorhodamine B assay. 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined for each of 16 different anticancer drugs in the presence and absence of the highest nontoxic dose of WR-1065 from concentration-response curves constructed in triplicate and based on 18 replicate cell culture plates for each tested drug concentration. Pretreatment with WR-1065 had no statistically significant effect on the IC50 value of any of the 16 drugs tested against either the A2780 or MCF7 human tumour cells. These data expand upon previous reports showing that amifostine does not protect tumours from the cytotoxic effects of anticancer agents. The ability of amifostine to protect against dose-limiting toxicity to a variety of normal tissues without protection of tumour should enhance the efficacy ratio of a wide range of standard anticancer drugs.

Establishment of a new lung sarcoma cell line from a human lung carcinosarcoma

A cell-line (UACC 2561), was established from a biopsy specimen of a lung carcinosarcoma. The patient had Stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Characterization of this cell line revealed highly aneuploid cells containing multiple clonal chromosome alterations with growth in nude mice within 3 weeks following subcutaneous injection. The cell line UACC 2561 stained positive for vimentin and displayed resistance to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. Polymerase chain reaction followed by single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis revealed the presence of a K-ras 12 codon mutation. This mutation was confirmed by mutation specific PCR analysis for mutant K-ras alleles and direct DNA sequencing to be a GGT to GTT at codon 12 of the K-ras gene. Examination by PCR-SSCP for p53 mutations did not reveal any point mutations in exon 5-8 of the p53 gene. This relatively rare cell line may represent a useful model to investigate human lung sarcomas.

Detection of mutant Ha-ras genes in chemically initiated mouse skin epidermis before the development of benign tumors

An activated Ha-ras oncogene has been consistently found in chemically initiated benign and malignant mouse skin tumors, and an activated ras oncogene has been shown to initiate the process of mouse skin carcinogenesis. However, the exact timing of mutational activation of the Ha-ras gene relative to application of the chemical carcinogen is not known. A sensitive mutation-specific PCR technique was used to experimentally address the timing of Ha-ras gene mutational activation. This technique can detect mutant Ha-ras alleles in the presence of a very large excess of normal ras alleles. Activated Ha-ras genes with 61st codon A----T mutations were found in the epidermis of mice 1 week after topical initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene or urethane by using this assay. These results were confirmed by Xba I restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and direct DNA sequencing. One week after initiation is 1-2 months before the appearance of benign papillomas that harbor activated Ha-ras oncogenes when the initiated mice are promoted with the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Our data support the hypothesis that initiated epidermal cells containing an activated Ha-ras gene can remain dormant in the skin until a tumor promoter induces regenerative hyperplasia that allows for outgrowth of these cells with an activated ras oncogene to give rise to a benign papilloma.