Authors: Ioannis D Lyronis Stavroula Baritaki Ioannis Bizakis Elias Krambovitis Demetrios A Spandidos
Publish Date: 2008/07/01
Volume: 14, Issue: 3, Pages: 267-273
Abstract
The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK MAPK signal transduction cascade is an important mediator of a number of cellular fates including growth survival and apoptosis The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Braf Kirstenras Kras and Neuroblastomaras Nras gene mutations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ESCC in the Greek population DNA was extracted from 30 ESCC and 32 normal esophageal specimens and screened for V600E Braf and Kras/Nras codon 12 mutations by PCRRFLP based analysis Among the genes tested only the heterozygous Kras mutation was detected in 5 out of the 30 ESCC specimens 16 whereas no mutation was found in the normal esophageal tissue P 0022 The normal samples were screened negative for Nras and V600E Braf mutations The increased risk of esophageal cancer was correlated with tobacco use OR = 35 P 0023 and alcohol abuse OR = 722 P 0001 accompanied with the high incidence of the kras codon 12 mutation 22 OR = 177 and 21 OR = 152 respectively A similar positive association was seen in human papilloma virus HPVinfected patients OR = 566 P 0003 Our overall findings demonstrate that the mutational activation of the Kras gene HPV infection and tobacco or alcohol abuse can be considered independently or in combination as high risk factors for ESCC development
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