Frequent loss of expression without sequence mutations of the DCC gene in primary gastric cancer
2001
Loss of DCC Gene Expression in Gastric Cancer
Sample size: 60
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Sato K, Tamura G, Tsuchiya T, Endoh Y, Usuba O, Kimura W, Motoyama T
Primary Institution: Yamagata University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Is there a correlation between DCC gene expression and mutations in primary gastric cancers?
Conclusion
DCC gene expression is often lost in gastric cancer due to epigenetic mechanisms rather than sequence mutations.
Supporting Evidence
- 78% of primary gastric tumors showed loss or reduction of DCC expression.
- Methylation of DCC was found in 75% of primary tumors and 72% of non-cancerous gastric mucosae.
- Loss of DCC expression was significantly correlated with its methylated status.
Takeaway
In stomach cancer, a gene called DCC often stops working, but it's not because of changes in its DNA; instead, it's turned off by other processes.
Methodology
The study analyzed mutations in 25 of the 29 DCC exons in 17 primary gastric cancers and assessed DCC expression through immunohistochemistry.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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