Transcriptional inactivation of RASSF1A in lung cancer and its clinical significance
Shao, K.; Xiao, Z.-x.; Tang, H.-j.; Cheng, B.-c.; Zhang, D.-c.; Zhou, F.; Xiong, M.-h.; Mu, B.-d.; Huang, W.; Zhang, C.-y.; He, J.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 83(7): 569-571
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0376-2491 PMID: 12887746 Document Number: 559439
To explore the relationship between the transcriptional expression of RASSF1A (Ras association domain family 1A gene) and oncogenesis and development of lung cancer. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of RASSF1A mRNA in 47 human lung cancer tissues and matched 47 non-cancer tissues. (1). The RASSF1A mRNA was identified in all non-cancer tissues but not found in 53.2% carcinoma tissues. (2). The rate of loss of RASSF1A mRNA was significantly higher in the patients with positive lymph node metastasis (70.4%) than in those without lymph node metastasis (30.0%) (P < 0.01). (3). Much more frequent in advanced tumor tissues, loss of RASSF1A mRNA was correlated with TNM stage (P < 0.05). (4). No significant association of abnormal RASSF1A expression was identified with histological type, differentiation grade of tumors or age, sex, and smoking index of the patients (all P > 0.05). RASSF1A is one of the new candidates of tumor suppressor genes. Loss or abnormal down-regulation of RASSF1A mRNA is a frequent event in lung carcinogenesis, which may play an important role in the malignant progression and prognosis of lung cancer.