Ras oncogene point mutation: An infrequent event in bronchioloalveolar cancer Journal Article


Authors: Rusch, V. W.; Reuter, V. E.; Kris, M. G.; Kurie, J.; Miller, W. H. Jr; Nanus, D. M.; Albino, A. P.; Dmitrovsky, E.
Article Title: Ras oncogene point mutation: An infrequent event in bronchioloalveolar cancer
Abstract: Ras oncogene point mutation, primarily activating the K-ras gene, has been reported in approximately one third of lung adenocarcinomas. This identifies a subset of early stage tumors clinically associated with smoking and an aggressive clinical course. Because of these findings, this study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of ras point mutations in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. This uncommon form of lung adenocarcinoma is usually indolent but can sometimes present as a rapidly growing, multifocal tumor. Twenty tumor samples obtained at thoracotomy were examined for H-ras, K-ras, and N-ras oncogene mutational activation involving codons 12, 13, or 61. This was performed by an oligonucleotide hybridization technique following polymerase chain reaction amplification of these specific sequences. K-ras point mutation involving codon 12 was observed in two tumors, but not in the adjacent histologically benign lung tissue. These mutations were confirmed by direct sequencing of these polymerase chain reaction products. Both patients were smokers, had stage I tumors, and remain disease-free at 27 and 40 months postoperatively. No H-ras or N-ras point mutations were found. These findings suggest that ras activation is an infrequent event in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. We speculate that ras activation is not a common transformational event in this form of lung adenocarcinoma.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; aged, 80 and over; gene mutation; histopathology; cancer staging; polymerase chain reaction; disease association; lung neoplasms; transgenic mouse; lung adenocarcinoma; cancer cell; cigarette smoke; lung alveolus cell carcinoma; oncogene k ras; genes, ras; nucleic acid hybridization; point mutation; autoradiography; lung nodule; metabolic activation; middle age; adenocarcinoma, bronchiolo-alveolar; human; male; female; priority journal; article; support, non-u.s. gov't; support, u.s. gov't, p.h.s.
Journal Title: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume: 104
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0022-5223
Publisher: Mosby Elsevier  
Date Published: 1992-11-01
Start Page: 1465
End Page: 1469
Language: English
PUBMED: 1331621
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Valerie W Rusch
    869 Rusch
  2. Victor Reuter
    1229 Reuter
  3. Mark Kris
    871 Kris
  4. David M. Nanus
    66 Nanus
  5. Anthony P. Albino
    111 Albino
  6. Wilson H. Miller Jr
    48 Miller
  7. Jonathan M. Kurie
    8 Kurie