Allelic loss at TP53 in metastatic human endometrial carcinomas

Clin Exp Metastasis. 2009;26(7):789-96. doi: 10.1007/s10585-009-9278-3. Epub 2009 Jun 30.

Abstract

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is implicated in the initiation and progression of various human neoplasia, and is observed in both early or in advanced-stage human cancers. The current study was aimed at investigating the frequency of LOH TP53 in human endometrial carcinoma (EC) metastases. LOH was analyzed using 3 intragenic polymorphisms in 38 primary ECs and corresponding metastatic lesions. Allelic loss at intron 1 was detected in 14 out of 38 (37%) primary carcinomas and in 11 out of 38 (29%) metastatic lesions. LOH at intron 1 in primary and metastatic tumors was concomitantly noted in 8 out of 38 (21%) cases. LOH at intron 4 was seen in 46% (17 out of 37) primary ECs and in 35% (13 out of 37) metastatic lesions. LOH at intron 4 in primary tumor/metastasis was concomitantly demonstrated in 27% (10 out of 33) cases. Allelic loss at exon 4 was detected in 5 out of 33 (15%) primary ECs and in one out of 33 (3%) corresponding metastases. Coexistence of LOH TP53 in primary ECs with metastases at intron 1 and intron 4 was observed in three out of 33 (9%) cases. Correlation between allelic loss at intron 1 in primary ECs and corresponding metastases was found (R = 0.475, p = 0.003). Moreover, there was correlation between LOH at intron 1 in metastastic ECs and allelic imbalance at intron 4 in primary uterine tumors (R = 0.416, p = 0.01). There was a relationship between LOH at intron 4 in primary ECs and corresponding metastatic lesions (R = 0.457, p = 0.004). LOH TP53 at intron 4 correlated with the presence of the neoplasm in the uterine cervix (R = 0.319, p = 0.049), and with the non-endometrioid type of primary tumor (R = 0.371, p = 0.024). There was a significant correlation between exon 4 LOH and patient age (less or equal to 50 years and above this age; R = -0.375, p = 0.032). p53 overexpression was present in thirteen out of 38 (34%) cases, both in primary ECs and in metastatic lesions. Overexpression of p53 was higher in non-endometrioid ECs (three out of 5; 60%) than in endometrioid-type uterine tumors (ten out of 33; 30.3%; p = 0.315). p53 overexpression correlated with the presence of cancer in the lumen of fallopian tube(s) (R = 0.032, p = 0.046), and with allelic loss at intron 1 in primary ECs (R = 0.599, p = 0.0001). In conclusion, LOH occurs not only in primary uterine tumors but also in corresponding metastases, with the higher incidence being reported at intron 4 of the TP53. A significant link existed between LOH TP53 at intron 1 and p53 overexpression in primary ECs, but not in the corresponding metastatic lesions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alleles*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Genes, p53*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Introns
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*